Does anyone know how to get the center caps out without tearing the wheels to bits on the 18" rims? So far I've tried two different sizes of common blade screwdriver, and I've also pounded on the caps with a hammer. Two are out, and the other two aren't moving.

I think this experience seals me getting some 16's.

 

I always take the center caps out with the rim off the car.

There's usually a good amount of clips on the backside, and it's much easier to pop them out from that way.

 

Make a Tool
Mount a soft-rubber Crutch or Cane tip to a wooden hammer handle.
Knock them out from the back.

6omm Center Caps
Cheap
Generic 60mm Universal CtrCaps / Sears
60mm "Stick-0n's".

Scribe cut line on Wing-clips.
Break-off clips. Sand flush.
Apply stick-on with precision. Warm with hair dryer and firmly set stick-on to CtrCap.
Clean Center on Rim.

Apply small bead of waterproof adhesive to inside lip on CAP.
SMEAR some adhesive to face of CtrCap Seat on Rim.

Mount Cap in Rim
Tap around Cap to seat it firmly in place.
(Gum Eraser will protect stick-on from being marred from tool mark during tapping-home the customized new look.)

 

Yeah, I have no desire for anything other than OEM center caps.

I ended up using the screwdriver as a chisel and driving it into the heart of the other two. I was not going to spend hours jacking up the car and removing all four wheels, probably tearing holes in the ground effects in the process.

 

If you don't have a good jack for that car, I use the 3-ton low-profile harbor freight and it clears the ground effects of my father's 2006 Monte SS.

 

That same jack clears the ground effects on my 02 also!!