I've done a couple holes in a couple different cars with the desired results.
These were typically replaced thanks to being "sticky". I don't see a stat slamming open and closed over and over being all that good for the engine... thermal stresses and what not.
It took about 3x 1/8" holes to overcool a 96 cavalier. I learned from that and typically now drill one 1/16" or 3/32" hole.
There are some shady cars I work on that trap air, and the bleeders are either rust welded in place or look like they would be. So I put the tiny hole in the stat, point the front of the car uphill, and fill as much as I can. I squeeze the upper rad hose to try to work the air out. Sometimes I'll disconnect said hose at the radiator nipple and "backfill" the engine through the hose and stat-with-hole, lifting the end of the hose as high as it will go to make more pressure.