1997 Subaru Impreza
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in San Diego

Q: What exactly is a mechanical key and what does that mean for replacement?

A mechanical key is exactly what it sounds like: a metal key that operates your locks and ignition purely through the cut pattern on the blade. The 1997 Impreza takes one. No fob, no remote, no buttons. Replacement is cut-and-go. A locksmith decodes your lock or pulls your key code and cuts a new blade to match. That's the whole job.

Q: My Subaru is giving me some kind of security warning and won't stay running. Is that a key problem?

On a 1997 Impreza, if the key turns and the engine fires but then dies within a second or two, that points to the vehicle security system rather than the cut of the key. The blade getting you into the ignition and the security system authorizing a start are two separate things. I carry the equipment to diagnose that on site. Don't assume the new key is cut wrong just because the car won't stay running.

Q: Can I get a key made without the original, or do I need to bring you the one I have?

You don't need the original key present. On a vehicle this age, there are two ways to get the cut: pull a key code from the VIN through a locksmith code database, or decode the lock cylinder directly on site. Either way, you end up with a working key. Bring your registration and ID so I can verify ownership before cutting.

Q: The ignition on my 1997 Impreza feels stiff and the key is hard to turn. Is the key worn out or is it the cylinder?

Both are worth checking, and on a car this age the answer is usually some of each. A key that's been copied from a copy, or just worn down over years of use, will start to feel loose in some locks and stiff in others as the cuts drift from spec.

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Certified 1997 Subaru Impreza key replacement info from EZ Car Keyz Coronado CA

Key Specialists

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1997 Subaru Impreza
Key Options

Dealer-grade key for a fair, honest price

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Wait Time

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1997 Subaru Impreza Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

I was parked near the waterfront at Coronado Shores when the call came in. Guy had a 1997 Impreza and one key left, bent enough that it was starting to feel like a coin flip every morning.

He wanted to know if the replacement would work as well as what he had. Honest answer: his original was worn down enough that it was the weak link, not the lock. I decoded the cylinder directly, cut a fresh key to the actual lock specification, and handed him two copies that turned cleaner than the bent original ever did.

He asked about the dealer. I told him they'd send him to a hardware counter or a dealership that might not even stock blanks for a car this age. He nodded and pocketed both keys.

That was the whole job. No modules, no programming window, no waiting. Just a key cut to the car, done in the parking lot.

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Subaru Impreza Rapid Response, Done Right

Rapid response in the field

1997 Subaru Impreza

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Real Reviews From Real Driveways

Customers who never left their driveway

R

Ray P.

Dec 2025

★★★★★

“Marco is the man for car keys, lost my key for a Subaru wrx he showed up same day and programmed it on the spot! Nice guy and great service!!”

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R

Ricky M.

Sep 2026

★★★★★

“Had an issue with Subaru ignition called ez car keyz for assistance they were able to make a new key for the car and now the car starts perfect thanks Marco.”

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M

Marc M.

May 2026

★★★★★

“The dude came out and made a key for my truck, showed up fast on the weekend cut a key and programmed the remote. Fast affordable service”

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5-star review of 1997 Subaru Impreza key service by EZ Car Keyz Coronado CA

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Subaru Impreza Mobile Service FAQ

Real costs, no dealer surprises

My key shell is cracking and the blade is getting hard to grip. Can you do anything with that?▼

Yes, and on a 1997 Impreza it's about as simple as key work gets. There's no chip or electronics in the key itself to worry about. A new key blank gets cut to your lock, and if you want a fresh shell for a separate spare, that's just a cut blank. Nothing transfers, nothing reprograms, because there's nothing electronic to move.