Im not saying its "uncivilized" or like a 12valve pulling truck............im just saying that, all things being equal (stock heads, stock cam, etc), lowering CR noticeably effects how snappy the truck feels around town.
Not saying it wont start in the cold either. Back in 2008 I put my ~16:1 'built' engine through a winter of below-zero temps without being plugged in and it started fine. But it was just noticeably lazier feeling around town (MPI twins with VVT) and didnt get the same fuel economy as a stock engine....and it smoked a little more in the cold.
In MY OWN OPINION...given the choice...from what I have experienced in driving stock CR stock motors, stock CR built motors, and low CR built motors.......my own personal preference is stock CR.
ben