Anyone have any experience with throwing fresh brake pads on a relatively rough rotor? I just did it because I don't want to put much more money into my car + I don't plan on keeping it long. I'd rather replace the pads twice than fuck around with the rotors.

2002 Subaru legacy gt limited sedan. If anyone knows the car then you know the rotors are a huge pain in the ass without a rotary lift

Drill em and slot em

never had any problems changing rotors... on german cars atleast. and also they arent expensive (depends ofc, but for a standard car rotors and pads are dirt cheap imo).

also never cheap out on brakes mate

If your rotors are in shit shape they will destroy the pads fairly quickly, and wont be terribly effective even in the meantime
Have them resurfaced if you have someone who will do it for you, otherwise its probably $90 all-in for the parts to just replace the rotors and pads