The service light for 1998 is a dealer only turn off, triggered by miles driven, and is supposed to make you go to the dealer for an oil change. Either ignore the 2 minute light, put a small piece of black tape over it, or remove the bulb.

Go to the dealer parts dept and ask to have a spare key made. It should cost less than $20. The 1998 does not have a security chip imbedded. A remote is a different story, do not buy one from Ebay. The remote must be dealer programmed and they charge an arm and a leg. The key still does everything a remote does and you don't have a large bulge in your pants pocket.

As for maintenance, check the passenger side computer cover. There should be a timing belt replacement sticker which has the miles and date when the Tbelt was replaced. The interval is 70K miles, and not to be exceded. This is an interference engine! If the belt breaks, you will bend valves. If there is no sticker, replace the belt and the tensioner rollers ASAP.

These engines like synthetic motor oil and expect to change synthetic every 5-7K miles. The automatic tranny uses dec/merc ATF. It probably needs to be flushed - do this every 50K miles.

Klaus
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My advice is free, so you got what you paid for...