Im just going to describe my dream starlet because you said only one starlet Jay..... Like thats gonna happen lol.
A white ep95, image wise id want it to look like a SR with the all the TTE parts, splitter, spoiler, exhaust and speedlines. Purely because my first car on the road was a white SR.
Interior would have to be full Recaro interior with alot of glanza optional extras, because its the sexiest.
For the engine and ive been through alot of them lol In various turbos and power levels and I think my favourite one was a standard engine on a wepr external wastegate hybrid ct9. The instant boost and pull the whole way through the revs was brilliant! Saying that the exhaust housing is probably in two pieces by now lol. So id pick something with similar characteristic but more reliable, tf035 maybe on a super strong 5e and acis manifold ect. I wouldnt bother with light weight flywheels and knife edge crank either, it just makes it a nightmare to drive.
The brakes would defo need upgraded but most mods ive done over the years actually made no difference for me. The only thing ive noticed that works is good brake pads like ebc red or yellow so id prob just do that on standard discs and run vents to them.
For the handling it would be miesterR and polybush everything except the engine mounts because of the terrible vibration. You cant even look in the rear view mirror for it shaking lol Id also weld in glanza rear strut tops and centre piece to fit the oem 3 point rear strut brace for oem extra sexyness.
PS Jay I have a ep85 il do you a really good deal on so you can tick that final box