The boy schmucked a Deer with his '01 Impala, knocking out the PS headlight assy. and as they're original the other side is covered with little cracks clouding the lens.
Local dismantler/recycler has OEM off an '03 for $125. each. (kind of hate spending $250. for the pair as they both need replacing)
flea-bay has a few replacements ranging from ~$85 to $140.
Xenon HID?
Halo projector LED?
Original?
Winter is fast approaching when it'll be dark more than light, it's rural, and the snow can be brutal....
recommendations?
how about stuff to avoid?

Anzo are supposed to be good replacements.

Don't be "that" guy that sticks HID's in his car that don't belong and piss off everyone on the road.  aftermarket headlights will likely cloud up/haze quicker than OEM headlights.

I would go oem on this.

Try car-part.com and search by distance using your zip code.  It will bring up a bunch of salvage yards.  You should be able to find some that are not "A" quality or "000" quality with either slight discoloring or possibly something like a repaired tab.  The value will drop considerably with any flaw because they would no longer be "insurance quality" and be sold only to walk ins or rebuilders.  

You could also search for RPW.  They are an OE headlight remanufacturer and are typically cheaper than other remanufacturers.  For an aftermarket, stock replacement, I'd look at Keystone.  There should be some local Keystone places in your area where you can just walk in and purchase one.  

I'd just stay stock style.

do even rockauto?   http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1371406,parttype,10762

Good HID conversions aren't cheap.  They also should be run with projector housings.  For $$ sake, stick with Halogens.

That said, I run a HID conversion in my vehicle.  Really great for spotting deer.  The cow catcher tears apart anything that the lights don't catch.

I have a '01 Ford truck and bought replacement headlight assemblies for it from RockAuto.  They were amazingly inexpensive.

That's pretty well why I'm asking the hive; I'm not a big fan of funky lighting, but that said there have been some vast improvements made in vehicle lighting.
I loved the HIDs on our BMW until I had to replace the controller, a ballest, and  at $75. the cheapest part of all the Bulb.   $500. to repair a headlight assembly is just plain wrong.  

The local dismantler is very Christian in their practices and ethics; Usually they have the best prices, quality, and will stand behind what they have; Seeing all the "aftermarket" stuff priced less for a pair than just one OEM has my atttention.

Not to go too off on a tangent, but how about LED running lights for my pick-up truck?  In the past I've always used a couple 4" rubber mounts with aircraft landing bulbs in them. Besides brutal Winter snow, we have more Deer than people....it's dark when I leave for work and dark when I head home, making me want all the illumination I can get. (without frying the Alternator from hard/heavy draw)  

I recommended anzo because they look close to stock, have a reasonable price, provide good light with stock bulbs and seem to be very good quality.
They are on Amazon. Check the reviews

The LED bars are nice and bright and throw out a wide beam.  I would hesitate to use them on road.  If a cop sees you running them, you may be ticketed.

I've seen quite a few different ones, I'm just not sure which one to choose.....as far as the Cops: NYS does have a "dazzling lights" law, but it's usually an excuse to fish for DWI. I'd just as soon look like a UFO coming in for a landing.