Cheapest long term and short term options for headlight replacement?

Could you be a little more illustrative of what you mean when you say your headlights are going out?

Flickering? Short? Burned out Bulb?

The level of breakdown that would lead to needing your entire headlight (both) assemblies replaced would have to be pretty significant.

 

I've always found headlights either worked, or quit, nothing in between. OTOH I'm not really up on headlight bulb types, how they fail.

Was the car in any accidents, just wondering if it's wiring or switch problems.

 

Have you ever noticed moisture or liquid IN your headlight assembly?

If not?
Then you may just assume that your bulbs are burning out a natural death...and replace accordingly.

If you continue to have problems or premature failures...then investigation of more complicated reasons becomes necessary. But I would start with the easiest, and potentially the cheapest avenue first, which would be to simply replace the bulbs.

I would also replace in pairs.
Conventional wisdom being if one has failed...the corresponding twin should be on a similar timeline.

 

The LED's are a whole different system. Very expensive to replace, hopefully long lasting. We have them in our 2010, I looked in the owners manual: it describes regular headlight bulb DIY replacement, and for the LED's, simply says "take it to the dealership".

 

Well if you want LED's that's an entirely different horse race.

Conversion to LED's can be done. There are threads. It takes time, money and some skill. Or more money, if you want someone else to apply their skill.

If you aren't significantly unhappy, my recommendation would be just replace the bulbs.