On Wed, 21 Jun 1995, Alex Munro wrote:

> My wife and I just decided to add to our VW "collection".  We are looking
> for a reasonably late model passenger Vanagon.  We are noticing (as we did
> when we started looking for our camper bus) that the majority of Vanagons
> have broken slider door handles (the outside one).  Can anybody tell me why?
> I'm sure we're not imagining this, I'm talking about over 50% here.  How
> much do they cost?

No, Alex you're not imagining things I've noticed the same thing on Vanagons.
In fact the slider handle on my '80 twisted off in my hand about a year ago.
It has something to do with the turning/pulling stresses on the base of 
this casting. 
Since then I have not been able to find a used handle at wrecking yards 
in my area and although I haven't checked out a new price, from past 
experience on other parts, I'm pretty sure I don't want to pay it.
Does anyone else on the list know dealer $$$ on this part? Or better yet 
have a good used one they'd part with? 
*Just checked with dealer **94.25** for new handle I knew I didn't want t
o pay it. Now I'm really interested in a used one. Anyone? 

Clark L.
'80 Vanagon (can't_handle_it anymore)
'81 Rabbit dsl