Why are car keys so ugly?

Why are car keys so ugly?

Author
Discussion

Conscript

1,378 posts

120 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
Somewhat related, but I'd like to see remote key fobs made smaller and more "key like". I hate having a nice neat ring of normal keys (house, garage, etc), then a massive great plastic box for the car. Would be nice if they could get remote fobs down to a size where they could fit inside a key like the titanium GT-R one posted further up, so it wouldn't look out of place on your keyring.

pits

6,423 posts

189 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
Whilst we are on the subject, flip out keys, the most ridiculous thing, you are turning them against their natural pivot, eventually it will fall apart like SWMBO Fiat 500 key.

LordClaam

9 posts

122 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
New Mini fobs are just annoying - pointlessly big which just means they're a nuisance in your pocket.

Maybe I'm the only one that just wants the key to lock, unlock and start the car - I don't want huge amounts of branding on them to show off the type of car I drive.

smithyithy

7,192 posts

117 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
On the subject of smartphone apps etc, would be cool if you could program your key to your phone so it can be used for keyless entry / start. Bit like contactless paying, it's convenient to have your phone do most things nowadays.

Jeenyus161

Original Poster:

342 posts

94 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
smithyithy said:
On the subject of smartphone apps etc, would be cool if you could program your key to your phone so it can be used for keyless entry / start. Bit like contactless paying, it's convenient to have your phone do most things nowadays.
Yeah, like that idea a lot - have an app that lets you lock/unlock the car, have the car alarm paired to your phone so you know if it's being nicked etc etc.

Then you could have a back up key for emergencies/the days you drop your phone in your beer...!

marshalla

15,902 posts

200 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
LordClaam said:
New Mini fobs are just annoying - pointlessly big which just means they're a nuisance in your pocket.
They're the same size they've always been - relative to the size of the car...

edo

16,699 posts

264 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
I think the Porsche keys are pretty ok.


boxedin

1,351 posts

125 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
pits said:
Whilst we are on the subject, flip out keys, the most ridiculous thing, you are turning them against their natural pivot, eventually it will fall apart like SWMBO Fiat 500 key.
I'd suggest this a Fiat issue, not a generic flip-out key one.

Jeenyus161

Original Poster:

342 posts

94 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
You should be able to configure the key to match the car - this may just be my ocd coming out though. What do people think about finger print scanners? still have your start/stop button and an iphone style fingerprint recognition for entry.

marshalla

15,902 posts

200 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
Jeenyus161 said:
What do people think about finger print scanners? still have your start/stop button and an iphone style fingerprint recognition for entry.
Servicing. Breakdowns. Repairs. Valeting. Other drivers. Selling the car. Gloves.

Leaky Valve Stem Seal

27 posts

98 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
I quite like my SAAB keyfob...


robsco

7,822 posts

175 months

Wednesday 25th May 2016
quotequote all
The Jap keys on here are by far the most appealing, NSX, R33 etc. Classy and understated.

OzzyR1

5,701 posts

231 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
SuperchargedVR6 said:
jan8p said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
I see your point. The Ferrari key is an especially lame effort given the pedigree and price of their cars. You wouldn't be in a hurry to plonk that miserable piece of plastic down onto bar top would you?

Houses are an interesting one though.

This would at least prick up some interest on the bar counter:

If you plonked that down on the bar, wouldn't people just think you're just some idiot who's brought a toy car to the pub?

Some child would steal it and it'd cost you about £5k for a replacement.
Who ever thinks that is a toy would be the bigger idiot I think! As for the child stealing it, I didn't really have a Wetherspoons pub in mind.
Think you are missing the fact that anyone who walks into a bar and puts their car keys on the counter with the intention of making some kind of statement is almost guaranteed to be a massive bellend, regardless of location.


acer12

959 posts

173 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
jan8p said:
If you plonked that down on the bar, wouldn't people just think you're just some idiot who's brought a toy car to the pub?

Some child would steal it and it'd cost you about £5k for a replacement.
Probably for the better, cant imagine a huayra is that easy to steer after 10 pints of strongbow

Hugh Jarse

3,486 posts

204 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
most of these new keys in your trouser pocket will leave you facing a long stretch when stood outside the junior school

Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

209 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
LordClaam said:
New Mini fobs are just annoying - pointlessly big which just means they're a nuisance in your pocket.

Maybe I'm the only one that just wants the key to lock, unlock and start the car - I don't want huge amounts of branding on them to show off the type of car I drive.
Nope me neither. It's actually very vulgar showing off what car you own or lease by displaying a over styled and ostentatious key fob for all to see. Just as bad IMO as deliberately encouraging sleeves to ride up to show off an expensive watch at every opportunity or flashing a wallet stuffed with cash and cards around so everyone can see what a successful big shot you are.

Happy to say my key and fob are small enough to stay in my pocket and even when they aren't there's no vehicle identity visible anywhere on them. The dealers advertising tag that came with them went straight in the bin the day I bought the car.




TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
soad said:
Nissan have it right! smile

jan8p

1,722 posts

227 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
smithyithy said:
On the subject of smartphone apps etc, would be cool if you could program your key to your phone so it can be used for keyless entry / start. Bit like contactless paying, it's convenient to have your phone do most things nowadays.
How doable is that currently though? Is the NFC used in phones the same/similar to keyless entry technology?

IanCress

4,409 posts

165 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Leaky Valve Stem Seal said:
I quite like my SAAB keyfob...

Lock, unlock, boot, flying saucer?

Dog Star

16,079 posts

167 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
soad said:


[
That is bloody marvelous; a thing of minimalist beauty.

As for ugly - I hate the OHs Volvo keys; they're hideously large and "Fisher Price".

(look at the size of the blade in coparison to the body of the fob)