Civic Cracked Outside Door Handle
 

Honda Civic 1995 LX Driver Side Door Handle broke when opened on an icy day.
Its black plastic and seemed to crack off. leaving a 2 inch stub that still
works if I use a piece of wood to pry it open. But I want to replace the
handle. NOTE: The whole mechanism is still operational and doesn't need
replacement, its just the piece of plastic you grab onto when pulling
forward, and I know its sold separately.

QUESTIONS:

(1) Honda asks $55 for a replacement black plastic door handle and I see
similar handles for under $20 on the Internet. Should I consider getting an
after market one, or is the Honda part the only one I should consider.

(2) I have also seen metal door handles to replace the black plastic ones.
Do these have an advantage over the plastic ones, especially in icy weather?

(3) What is involved in replacing the broken handle? I mean the degree of
difficulty if I decide to replace the handle myself?


Thanks,

Gary