ok I put snow tires on my car this year because of the bad winter. I am going to get new rims and tires for the summer and leave the snow tires on the stock rims.
The existing tires are 225/50/16. My 2 sons want me to buy 18 inch rims and go to 225/40/18

I have been asking for a while trying to decide weather to go to 18's or just go up one size to 17's. 17's would be 225/45/17
The price difference is like 50 bucks so either one I would buy.

How much worse would the ride be on 18's? Its not a daily driver but it does get used a bit, mostly by my sons.
Opinions?
Thanks