First, I don’t take offense to any of this, I don’t care if people think I bought bad cars, I like my cars lol. I was legitimately asking why you found the value poor when you can’t buy the mechanical configuration for cheaper. Some dork came in and downvoted you earlier.

I’m not comparing the GRC to anything, I’m saying that if you want AWD with LSDs and big brakes these are the cars you can buy with that equipment installed, and the GRC is the cheapest of those cars. An Elantra N is 100% faster than a GRC on track and in most circumstances, no doubt, but a GRC (and all those cars I listed) is way more fun to drive in the snow. I live where it snows, so to me these cars are a class of “make it to the ski resort in style.” And I legitimately did consider getting an RS3, but yes, I just had to have a manual hot hatch.

including features that aren't really useful in normal street driving … If your AWD goes into limp mode 4 minutes into a spirited drive

On the street the AWD system is more than capable. Personally I’ve never had my GRC’s AWD system overheat, I don’t track it, I just drive hard up mountain roads. You have to have sustained track speeds and it shuts off for most people 10-15 minutes into a session. Big brakes come in handy when I come back down these roads trying to corner like I’m fast (I’ve cooked my WRX’s brakes before the Brembos), and the LSDs are the most useful bit of equipment if you want to have fun and control slides in the snow. Basically, you can make full use of all of this equipment if you just live in the snow and mountains, going back to my point of the GRC is the cheapest AWD + LSD + big brake car you can buy.