I'd seriously try and get an extended test drive in one. They may both be Jap but they're 2 completely different cars. An Evo puts the power down ridiculously well, but after the initial; my god this is quick is over... I didn't find it as fun. Part of the fun of a Starlet is that it's a noisy tin can that goes like stink. That's the main thing I miss about my Starlets. They don't handle all that well, they're irritating as a daily drive but when the times right, there's not much thats as fun to drive, yeah the Evo would chew the starlet up on a twisty road but... It wouldn't make me smile as much. Swings and roundabouts mate