can i go to say the grocery store and make a key copy for my 97 mk8. says in the manual that the key ais coded.......or do i have to go to ford and get one

read in your maunal.. it will explain how the system works and why you cant get just a regular key.

look on ebay for the keys.. theyre a bit cheaper and you can program them yourself after you get it cut.

Not the Pats system.

After looking and calling every locksmith and Ford L/M in 2 counties to no avail, I found these guys online: http://www.streetkeys.com/

They'll send you key blanks for about 35 bucks apiece. Get them cut locally, and follow the instructions in the owners manual for programming.

Not the Pats system.

IF you have 2 working PATS keys, you can program additional keys. I've done it many times. IF you only have one working PATS key, you're SOL and will need to go to a dealer.