Changing the default to 0 is disruptive, but on the other hand with the current flurry of malleability abuse it is the safer option.
Edit: I do wonder, if this is to be the default do we want to change the output of getbalance as well to make sure it matches what can actually be spent? Currently it still shows unconfirmed change either way. On the other hand it is unintuitive to have the entire input disappear from the balance if you send. I think we do need some getbalance changes but I'm not entirely sure what...