You wrote: 
>
>
>
>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
>
Heidi Ho Neighbor, 

I had to replace the handle on my Vanagon ('82 Diesel) and had similar 
shopping experience.  Finally bought from VW dealer/parts, it took a 
week to swim from GDR and it cost $77.00 (better than $94 but still a 
_rip_).

Steven, Sr
'82 Vanagon dsl
American made clunkers(3)