Well I have done 570 miles in my R27 (no 375) and coming straight from a 182, I can make a good comparison.
I can honestly say, the R27 goes round bends faster and seems to be faster on the straights than my 182.
Maybe, my 182 wasn't run in very well but I have run the R27 in very well and not hung about like an old fart doing 3800rpm etc (but not going over 5-6k).
It feels more 'fizzy' than the 182, prob cos of the shorter gear ratios.
I have a sharp bend near where I work and in my Fiesta ST, I would go 45mph, the 182 - 40mph and the R27, well, even in this weather I am just under 50mph as I go round it and not even scared!
I also have a short stretch of DC and in the 182, I could just hit 100 (kph - I think I am reading the right dial ;o) ) before braking and I just done that in the R27 without going over 6500rpm and had time to coast for a few milliseconds before braking.
The only thing I miss from the 182 is, erm, erm, err, nothing. Not even the Xenons.
At the end of the day though I don't care if people prefer the 1*2 or not.
I like cheese and crisp sandwiches (with no butter) but lots of people prefer ham. I am not going to go on a sandwich forum to defend my decision.
I only buy things because I like them, not because everyone else does.