Understand about needing tires for the R - its part of the plan. WRT getting a different car, I hear you but for my needs that is a non-starter. I'm either keeping the GTI Autobahn or getting an R (at least for now!).
And I disagree with those who don't see a material difference between driving the GTI vs driving the R, at least on stock tires. I guess I'm skeptical that new tires on the GTI (assuming A/S (contis or michelin)) will meaningfully stop wheel spin - but I won't know without spending a grand or so. To be fair, I understand (and kind of agree) with those who don't think its worth the spread (new, used, or whatever) but that is a value judgment - I think the driving difference is objectively diffferent.
I drove both GTI and R, however finding dealers that permit test drives is hard. GTI = Best handling front drive car I have ever driven. Would I drive it in snow? Yes, but not more then a dusting. R = Best handling car I have ever driven, pretty good AWD. Would I drive it in snow? Yes, but not more then 3 or 4 inches.
I previously owned a 2016 WRX Limited. I loved the car. I drove it for 3 years as my daily. It was great in snow. It handled tons better and drove tons better then a GTI. However I felt every single bump in the road. My back hurt, my neck hurt. Did I drive it in the snow? Hell yes, but not more then 5 inches.
If in say, 3 and a half years, I had a choice between a WRX Limited, GTI, and there was no Golf R available and I had to buy a new car due to warranty running out. What would I buy? That is simple. I could buy the WRX Limited. Its the same price as the Autobahn, the fit in finish is less but it handles better and its quicker, and its better, far better in the snow.
However, given a choice between all three cars I would go with the Golf R, even at a 8k cost over a WRX. Its worth the money.
With the Golf R you get some of the all wheel drive stability with a little bit of German luxury car refinement. You also get factory backed tuning and hardened internals for the engine that support a DSG 0 to 60 close to 4.5 seconds. The drive is easy and makes a daily commute do able. For me the premium is worth it.
The WRX Limited and the Golf R both require a tire swap out. I recommend just buying the best All Seasons, ditching the summer and replacing tires every 24 months regardless of miles. I never drove my WRX in heavy snow or fast on roads with pot holes.
None of these cars have strong engines or will be reliable over 100k miles. At some point their engines will fail. Small displacement, high compression.. bad for durability. They are meant to be driven and enjoyed and replaced when they get out of warranty or start to show signs of failure.
If I live to retirement and they still make them I plan to buy a Mustang GT Fastback, loaded, those cars can last forever. I just would be doing an uber in the winter.