PQ: Interior Door Handle

[harrngtn]

I'm looking for a right side door, interior door handle, in tan for a 95 MR2. My local dealer says the part is discontinued.

Looking at the carfiche, I "think" the part number is 69205-17031-A0, but I could be wrong. If the "door handle dish" is available, I'll take one of those too.

Thanks,

-Tom

(I search the forum and think I found the dish, but not the handle.)

[te51levin]

Tom, first off, welcome to the board! Unfortunately, your local dealer is probably correct. I can't call Toyota right now (it is 6:30 Saturday evening and yes, I am still at work) but I can try when I return to work on Tuesday to see if we can still get the handle in ivory. If so, here is the PN and price:
69205-17031-A0 - $27.52 - Handle, inner door, RH

The interior bezel is definately only available in black at this time. I do stock them:
69277-17020-22 - $10.45 - Bezel, interior door handle, RH

Even if we can only get you a black handle and bezel, you can still change their color to ivory with the right products. I have used SEM products many times in the past with outstanding results; so long as proper prep is carried out, the result is very durable and looks great. Try your local automotive paint supply stores for them if you decide to give it a try.

Thanks Tom!

[harrngtn]

Thanks for the info. Please let me know what Toyota says.

On a related note, what happens to all of these "discontinued parts?" Clearly Toyota isn't selling them because they didn't sell enough, so there must have been some parts left. If Toyota had sold out, they would still be selling them. (a little circular, I know.)

So, does anyone have a source for discontinued part wholesalers? That's what my local dealer recommended, but I have been having a hard time finding one online.

Thanks,

-Tom

[te51levin]

Originally Posted by harrngtn

On a related note, what happens to all of these "discontinued parts?" Clearly Toyota isn't selling them because they didn't sell enough, so there must have been some parts left. If Toyota had sold out, they would still be selling them.

Well, not necessarily. If there is insufficient volume to justify manufacturing and warehousing more of it, they'll simply leave what they have on the shelf until it runs out. Selling one of something every blue moon doesn't warrant keeping it in production. They might still have ten on the shelf when they realize that the parts aren't going anywhere, so they (or their supplier) will simply stop manufacturing the part, and when those last ten eventually sell, that'll be the last of them.

It bears mentioning that unlike some other manufacturers, Toyota doesn't overstock their shelves and then hope it all sells. They use a just-in-time system wherein they try to have just enough on hand to meet their immediate demand, and they bring more in continuously to replenish the supply. That way they don't have to sit on a lifetime supply of door handles (to use your example), tying up shelf space and money, which could both be put to better use buying and storing parts that are selling more rapidly.