Good point. I remember when the stat on my BMW started failing I was going to toss it, but after I saw the beast it looked like it opened one passage as it blocked another. I modified it to stay 100% open and reinstalled it. That is one reason I said "I usually just remove them if I can get away with it". I knew that, but I guess you had trouble reading my mind. Sorry. The other reason would be if it's worth it to let the car run cold. My newer computer controlled stuff would probably make me pay in the mileage dept if I pulled or modded it, but older cars or race stuff the stat goes. I'm an exception to the rule though, I've had more stats fail than I can remember, so normally I don't give them a second chance.
My other curses are, valves breaking, driveline vibration and low oil pressure. I carry these like a virus to the vehicles I own.