yeah i almost bought 19x8 inch axis sevens yesterday for a 1,000 without tires though but thats not to bad..oh well but i will be in the 19 inch club soon..
for performance and looks i'd get 17's anywhere from 7-8 inches of width. 17's give you the most versatility. lots of cars are coming out with 17's stock so it's getting easier to have lower profile tires mounted. if 19's didn't hurt performance so much and cost so much money tha's where i'd be