looking good

I too tried modelling a car after using maya for only a short while. It can be frustrating finding all the options and (very slowly) learning new techniques but it's definately worth it.

For the rim problem (if you're polygon modelling) you could select all the edges where you want the lip, extrude the edges and move them into a different position. Keep doing that till you have the desired lip.

It might be easier to use:
edit polygons -> cut faces tool
near the edge which will give you the extra faces/edges to move to the required position. Basically have a play with those tools and see what happens