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Wheel size is a compromise. You are balancing cost, weight, aesthetics and responsiveness to direction change.
Basically:
Cost: 17 is cheapest cost, 19 highest - 17 wins
Weight: 17 is lightest, 19 is heaviest - 17 wins
Aesthetics: 19 is prettiest 17 ugliest - 19 wins
Responsiveness: This really has to do with tire aspect ratios not wheel size. For the same overall tire height the 19 will be most responsive and the 17 least. However the 17 will have less unsprung weight which also contributes to responsive handling. Call this one a wash.
The 18" is probably the best compromise.
If you ignore aesthetics then 17" are best. They are lighter. The key is to not use the stock tire aspect ratios with the 17" wheels but instead use the same aspect as the OEM 18" tire. This will give the same responsiveness as the 18" and will lower the car by about 1/2". The combination of reduced unsprung weight and lower CG will result in a noticeable improvement in handling. The reduced unsprung weight will result in better acceleration and braking performance as well as a slightly smoother ride. The lower rolling diameter will result in improved acceleration at the expense of higher cruising RPM, poorer fuel economy and an inaccurate speedo.
The problem with the factory 17" wheels is that the are also narrower than the 18" or 19" so you can't mount as wide a tire.
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