Making the ride harder IS affecting handling is it not, and a harder ride does not a better handling car make (necessarily). Plus, the more wheel and less tyre you have, you're going to affect the balance of things, to what extent will depend on what you're going to and from, and what quality of wheel and tyre you can afford.
For the kind of road conditions described by the OP, I'd go for a good light 16" wheel and tyre combo over and above anything else, they look good and handle fantastically AND will cost less than the same quality 17" (or 18") versions of the same wheels/tyres. |