Fitting Three Carseats Across the Back Seat

I started thinking about our dilemma not long after the second line came up on the pregnancy test.  My husband and I had two boys already, one was going to be 3 when baby was born and the other almost 6.  Both boys are on the light side (50 pounds and 37 pounds). The oldest was using a booster like this one and the youngest was in an Evenflo carseat .  We still had our Snugride carseat for the baby but were we going to be able to make them all fit?  We couldn't affordd to get a new car (like a minivan or something), especially with me leaving work more permanently - daycare for 3 would have consumed my income.

So one day we attempted every configuration we could think of to get the carseats to fit.  It was NOT going to work.  The car doors wouldn't close and obviously that was not safe!!  It would have been brutal trying to buckle the booster seat up every time anyway, had the doors closed, because the seats were wedged so tightly together.

Then the research started - it would be cheaper to buy new, slimmer carseats than a new car.    I read forums and reviews galore.  No one had any recommendations for a smaller booster seat, but we did find many positive stories and they all pointed to the Sunshine Kids Radian car seat.  It was listed as the slimmest width carseat around.

We bought one seat and did the install and were met with instant SUCCESS! We decided to buy a second Radian so both of the older boys could use them, and the baby could use the Snugride and then later the Evenflo seat. 

The nice thing about the Radian was not only its size but that it is safely rated for older children up to 65 pounds (and starts from newborn if you wish).  Most carseats only go to 40 or 50 pounds then you are looking at a booster and boosters are very wide AND you must be able to get to the seatbelt latch every time you buckle up.   With an installed seat you get your install nice and tight and then use the 5 point harness every time.  Much easier in my opinion!

Have you found a three across configuration that will work in a smaller vehicle?  I'd love to hear about it!