I only use my TC on the highways. Putsin' around town I doubt you'll have it on when it gets bad, as there were times this past winter that I got stuck...going down hill in town. You won't be able to move with TC on and a decent amount of the heavy stuff.
And don't worry about OEM HID, I may have an extra set shortly.
Advancetrac is MUCH better than the regular traction control. It controls individual wheel braking as well as engine power. Summer of '03 I drove an '03 LS around the wet skid pad at Michigan Proving Grounds. They had the course set up like an autocross; tight, increasing-radius turns, hairpins, etc. I had the AT on and drove around the course with the loud pedal on the floor. That LS stayed between the cones the whole time. It was impressive. Snow driving is much, much more about vehicle dynamics and weight distribution than about whether the car is FWD or RWD. With the LSes almost perfect weight distribution all you need is a good set of snow tires; and smart driving. The Advancetrac can only help.
After having HIDs I will NEVER go back! The light output is soooooo much better. The difference is better than the difference between sealed-beam and halogen!
