Toyota Repair: 98 Avalon ignition switch, pickup coil, transponder key

Question
The anti-theft ignition tumbler/switch is beginning to go bad on my 1998 Avalon.  Is there any way to replace the OEM anti-theft switch with a non-anti-theft switch?  The cost difference between the two looks to be around $250.00!!!!  If I don't have to shell out the extra cash, that would be great!
Thanks
Todd

Answer
I assume that you mean the immobilizer which has a transponder key and a detection coil on the switch, the problem is that if you replace the switch that does not have the transponder pickup coil the theft computer will still look for a signal from the key through the pickup coil if it is missing the engine will not start, to change this you would have to change the computer as well, this would be much more expensive than replacing the switch.