I need to know why it costs over $ 100 to get a key made for a 2005 Ford Taurus?

It all comes down to the labor and time standards. The key itself of course doesn't cost $100.00 but the shops labor rate is in the neighborhood of $75-$80.00. The standard rate in our shop is 1 hour to program a new key to the vehicles PATS(passive anti-theft system). It doesn't take an hour but what Dr. spends an entire hour with you during a visit and charges you $200.00+ instead of the 5 minutes he spends just talking to you? You are paying for the proffessional, trained, necessary technician. By the way, there is a common misconception that the techs recieve that $75-$80.00 an hour. WRONG!! Most techs make between $15-$20.00 a flatrate hour depending on training, the rest goes to the shop. If you don't know what flatrate is and how the shops benefit from it I suggest you research it or better yet talk to a flatrate tech. You won't be disappointed in what you learn.

Key cost $30, and half to an hour labor. Where I live it would cost you around $70 with tax. Have to use a computer to get into the cars computer to program it. P.S. I don't know why people think the dealership's screw you when its the small independent shops that do!

Why don't you just call a locksmith at least you'll save yourself the expense of towing the car to the dealership. Just for FYI I do those for $150.00 for 2 keys and come to your house. Of course prices will vary depending on who you call location ECT. Where im at I've heard locksmiths quote prices from 100-250 for that car. As far as the cost goes. It really just boils down to the technology involved in trying to keep cars secure and theft proof. With new ideas come more costly equipment to maintain them. Ford just came out with a new pats 5 now some people will have to upgrade software just to keep up with that. Trust me it's getting ridiculous. Just be glad you don't have a high security key.

the car wont start without it its a saftey thing if your only paying $100 your lucky my 02 dodge's key is $300 your whole car dosent need to be reprogramed only if you bring a magnet near the key then try to start your car it will need to be re programmed

You can have some of those computerized keys reproduced at local hardware stores. The dealership won't advertise this, but you CAN get keys made cheaper elsewhere.

You're screwed and they know it - so they charge you as much as legally possible - every car company would do the same.

ur lucky...a car and driver writer rented a MB in europe and lost the key...1200 dollars...

Labor rates. a dealer is going to charge you 75 to 100 dollars just touch your key or car.