Not everyone mods there car for performance, so you want a car which will stand out in a crowd, for being different and individual, then the K10 is a winner!
Im sure the almera has alot more off the shelf parts, in both body and performance than the k10, which would make you far less individual just upgrading it with easily obtainable parts.
I agree, starting low and working up is much better than jumping in than further up. Your gonna look at a K10 and be surprised if it flies off etc, whereas an almera etc, you wouldnt be as shocked.
When people hear the figures of the ST then they're amazed, as to them, its just another micra. You wouldnt get that reaction from anything else!