Does this 17"/18"setup seem like it will work?

In the front a 245/45/17 will fit fine, the 17x8 with +25 offset is perfect. Backspace is right at 5.5” so it will be tight to the outer tie rod end but should clear. If you wanted you could probably run a 255/45/17 up front, that would be 26” tall though which is about the upper limit for height with a tire that wide. Might have to adjust the front lower corner of the fender a bit, depends on the car and the ride height.

A 275/40/18 on an 18x9 with 0 offset should work as well. It will be tight to the quarter lip, but if you’re not lowered it should be ok on most cars. I think a +6 would be about perfect for a 9” rim with a BBP 8 3/4 and the stock spring location, it would be tight to the springs but that can be adjusted with a small spacer if need be. The shorter sidewalls can run tighter to the springs, but if you end up too close to the quarters you have to cut stuff. Plus it gives you a little room if you do a rear disk kit later (they add like 3/16” usually), so you can go disks without buying new wheels.

I do run 275/35/18’s on the front of my Duster (now Demon) but they’re on 18x9’s with about +30 for offset. That’s a 6” backspace, which you need for 9’s and 275’s. But you need 18’s to do it, most 17” rims end up with tie rod end interference around 5.6” to 5.7” of backspace. Depends on the rim, some do better but I’d say any time you need to go past 5.7” for backspace on a 17” it’s not likely to clear the tie rod end.

Thanks so much for the response! I definitely appreciate your knowledge. My car isn’t lowered but I don’t want tons of wheel gap either. I’m hoping it clears the fender. I can always trim a little if I have to but I hate to go that route. I have absolutely changed my mind from a 225 up front to a 245 I think.
Thanks again!