lighter rims will def make it feel more peppy, on my other car i had some really nice 14lb 17" rims. felt so nimble....just avoid potholes!

after that....boost! intake/exhaust will cost you...$$$/whp a terrible investment. On my Focus the best mod ever done was the supercharger, i've even gone to stock exhaust. Nothing is more fun than a stock looking/sounding car with over 240whp.