Yeah, they both suck. I think I'd rather have to replace the water pump because at least I could stand up for much of the job.
I have pics somewhere around here of my battle to replace the starter in a Cadillac, that was epic. The big v-8 sat sideways across the front axle and it was the most crowded engine bay I'd ever worked in. That car? I'd prefer to replace the starter because the clearance between the right front wheel well and the front of the engine was less that the size of my hand, never mind the size of my hand holding a wrench. I did replace both the starter and the water pump on that car... It was plush and nice to drive, as land yachts go, but I don't miss working on it.