It seems like the valet switch could be useful, but I've never kept anything of real value in the glove box and I don't need another key on my crowded key chain.

Does anyone here find the valet key useful?

 

I don't even have my car's valet key.

 

In 6 yrs, i've never used it...but truthfully only trusted the car to a velet mybe 3-4 times in that span as well.

 

During the Revolution they chopped off the head of anyone who had a valet so they're extinct here.

 

Never had my valet key. I think that may be true for a high percentage of us based on watching XK8/R ads over the last few years. This leads me to think the original owners never used them either and lost them by the time of their sale.

I do use the Valet button when I leave my top down and the car unattended.

 

Don't have one.

 

I have one but have never used it.

 

Is it really necessary to press the valet button if leaving the car locked, with the top down? I'm not near my car to check, but I'm almost certain the inside buttons can't be used when it's locked. Or am I just mistaken?

Thanks,
Steve

 

Ive tried this,and you can open the glovebox while top down, and doors locked, system armed.

 

Good question. I've never checked and not close to mine now either.

Regardless, one benefit to me is my wife doesn't make fun of me when I lock the car with the top down. She hears that little "ding" and at least believes something extra has happened.

 

I checked, you're right. With the car locked, the trunk can not be opened with the button.

 

You can pop the trunk and open the gas cap cover with it locked, at least on mine! I came back out to my locked XKR where I left it with the top down to go grab a few things at a Home Depot in a very nice and safe area and both were popped. Someone knew what they were doing when they saw my XKR with the top down (hard to see those buttons standing over the locked car), but nothing was messed with. Just me. It was even parked out front!

It's fun to occasionally leave the top down when parked briefly in trusted areas, but keep that in mind whenever you have anything of value in the trunk! Test yours. Even trusted areas can betray you.

Also, I don't have the valet key- didn't come with mine either. My last fun car had an alarm key, and those were typically missing when they traded hands as well. It's lucky just to get 2 ignition keys...

 

I didn't get a valet key with my car either. It's OK, I won't let a valet drive it either.
I remember one time when I was in The French Quarter and had to leave my car with a valet. It was a six floor parking lot with a circular exit coming down. You had to give them your tag with your number and they would take an elevator up and then drive the car down. I was in line with a few other people waiting our turn and we heard a car coming down with tires squealing and engine gunning all the way down. It was quite a noise in that confined area, and we were all looking at one another wondering whose car it was. Luckily, it wasn't mine and some of the other valets saw the reaction of all of us in line and we had no more of that sort of driving.

There have also been incidents where the valet decided to take a little spin around the block or so in some cars and crashed them. I park my own.

http://jalopnik.com/5901949/valet-cr...he-%5Bvideo%5D

Valet Crashes Maserati Under Jeep And Into $200,000 Porsche [video]

 

Hah! The Epic in Miami, I used to hang out in the bar. I'll tell you, there isn't any distance for a good run behind those cars, I'll put my bet on the Maser coming from the side. I wonder if Danielle still works behind the bar...

 

I use my valet key all the time.

 

That is why I never valet my car.

 

used the valet key this morning to open a box of parts

 

The valet key is the only key I have. Contacted the dealer they want $320 to cut/program the master hey.

 

In that case, you have to wear a vest and a name tag when you drive. :-)

 

The only time I've used my valet key is to check if the valet function actually works. Other than that, not at all...