Is it just me or do chrome rims look smaller than the same rims in a silver finish -- especially those with thinner spokes?

this was from an ad for 18s in ebay:

wheels



Im buying some rims and tires this weekend and dont want 18"s that look like 17's. I have gotten as far as narrowing it down to 17*8 or 18*8 with a 235 tire. Lots of long nights ahead to decide.

This is my first car and I haven't done jack in routine maintanence in the last year so I'm wondering what installation costs:

Gonna pair the wheels with KYB AGX and either Eibachs or H&R springs (also ordering this weekend). Any suggestions? What should installation run for struts and springs? Is it something that I can do myself -- suspension is kinda serious & I don't wanna kill myself.

Oh also this weekend: budget Y, dynomax? muffler & tip -- how much for installation of these? Can I do the Y myself? What tools do I need?

 

To those of you with chrome rims:

How much do yours weigh? Do they slow you down a lot?
How hard is it to keep 'em clean?
Do they tarnish, or even get rust spots in the rain?
Do you leave them on in the winter?

Anyone got picture of cars with Arceo Dynostars chrome or not?

I trying to figure out if I should get chrome. If the weight of 18" wheels could be offset by my new CAI and Y-pipe, while improving handling, I wouldn't regret heavy wheels.
I don't want to do anything really half assed and regret it.