My ramblings on the 182:
182 is a great plane. And a great plane to learn in as well.
Maybe it is a little heavy feeling compared to say, a 152 or similar small trainers. But I'd take the opinion it is more real world experience.
After training, you are much more likely to fly a 4 place plane at least, rather than a 1.6person plane like a 152.
The 182 does feel a bit nose heavy, but I see that as a good thing. Can teach a very good flare to a student when they actually have to have some control input during landing.
The more "complex" arguement I don't think holds either. Just because there are a couple radios doesn't mean the pilot has to use them. Really it comes down to an extra knob for the prop. Which is really only an issue during takeoff and landings. Every high performance single I've been in has been prop full forward for takeoff, and full forward as part of the landing checklist. So there is some instruction on when to push/pull knobs. Which I think would be a good thing seeing how many pilots don't even know how to lean properly. If they are taught from the get go, how to use the knobs that are not throttle, all the better.
There's a guy at my local field. Buys a new 182 to learn in, has 0 time (he also has a nice CJ2 in his hanger, which others fly for him - paint and panels almost match between the two!
) He knows where to start and has the money to do it.
I think the only time I would tell someone to not use a 182 for training is if they are trying to save a little money. But then, for instrument training, it may be a wash because things can be done so much faster in a lesson.
Josh