I have heard several comments about RWD - why is it so much better than FWD?
I don't know much about the two.
Better handling on dry surfaces. No torque steer. Better traction on inclines. Better overall weight balance.
(This isn't an exhaustive discussion of the merits of the two systems - it's a simplified overview, couched in generalities. I'm also not discussing AWD vs. RWD.)
RWD is better for performance, longevity, and handling.
1. When you hit the accelerator on a car, the nose comes up and the tail goes down because the effective center of gravity has shifted rearwards. This is known as "weight transfer". In effect, it reduces the pressure on the front wheels (which reduces traction) and increases the pressure on the rear wheels (increasing traction). A car that uses the rear wheels to move itself, therefore, will accelerate faster than an identical car with front wheel drive. The downside is that a RWD car can step the rear end out in a low traction situation, but you can control that with the throttle, and modern traction control systems do that for you.
2. Because the front wheels of a car have to turn (in order to steer), so the drive axle systems are a lot more complex. They use something called a CV joint to allow steering. These are covered by rubber boots which are exposed and easily torn, which will rapidly destroy them. Rear wheel drive does (sometimes) use CVs, but they're much better protected and don't have to be exposed, since the rear wheels don't turn for steering. Other RWD systems use a solid axle or U joints which are virtually maintenance free and cannot be damaged easily.
3. The ideal weight balance for handling is 50/50 - 50% of the weight is on the front wheels, 50% is on the rear wheels. With the entire drivetrain up front (engine+transmission+drive axles), the weight balance is more like 65/35. This means that the car will understeer or "plow", where when you turn the wheel, the car wants to keep going straight. With a RWD car, you have the heavy transmission towards the front of the car and the heavy differential+drive axles at the rear, making it a lot closer to (if not equal to) the idea 50/50 balance, which gives neutral handling - the car goes where you point it, period.