I have to disagree on the FWD suckage, it's more dependant on the car and its use.
I had a 93 (or maybe it was a 91) Shadow that handled well with what it was born with and did it's duty until trade in day. Some times I wish I would have kept it, because even though it wasn't fast, it was fairly quick for my driving habits. Got me from point A to point B with a little fun now and then on not so straight roads.