Now that Chrysler has made the first all-new rear drive American sedan since....whenever (the new 300), it's time for a manufacturer to do the same with compacts, preferably with sport compacts. I've heard on different websites about how people want to convert their focus/cavalier/neon to rear wheel drive, because that format has better performance (and is also more fun to drive!) I've driven both formats in the winter, and it really isn't that big of a deal. With good snow tires, and being cautious, rear drive is definately ok in the winter.
There are some things that front driver's just can't overcome, no matter how advanced they get, and how much horsepower they produce. With a rear-drive car, you can do donuts (yee haw!) oversteer when turning (better cornering, if you have skill), and a better launch (a car's weight shifts back when you accelerate, which is fine for a rear drive car).
I say enough is enough, and demand that Detroit produce a new, cheap, rear drive compact!
A couple rear drive compacts of the past:
Chevrolet Chevette
Toyota Corolla
Hyundai Pony/Stellar
A couple potentials: Pontiac Solstice, Dodge Razor (they aren't really compacts as I see them, they're 2-seat roadsters)