Would you use a S4M over a SK radian in a tight 3-across?

We are still rocking our tight 3-across and my boys are only getting bigger. The radian FFing is a nice fit for DS2 (42 in/41.5 lbs/17.25 in torso) and has a 1 in to grow. However, my DS1 is growing, too, at 70 lbs & 4'1 and getting broader in the shoulders. Even though he is in a backless, room is tight on his side of the car.

Our car is a lease and I need to drive it for at least 10 more months. DH will be deployed in Oct and if space is still an issue I can switch to his 97 camry when I have all 3 kids with me since his back seat is so much wider than mine. By the time he gets home we will be soon up on our lease and DH has promised me a bigger car. I can't take his right now because he commutes so far and we need to stay under the mileage on the lease.

Now that the long story is over, here is my question. I am fairly certain that a S4M will fit in the middle of my 3-across nicely. Shoulder room is where we are having the squeeze. Since the S4M is on a 15 in base and 14.5 wide at the back with the widest part of the seat being at the front, I am hoping that DS1 can sit behind the sides. The radian is 14 ins at the base and 17 ins at the shoulder and it sits flush with the seat. When we had the radian and the classic MA I would much rather sit next to the classic MA.

Does that make sense? You think it would be worth a shot?

Only other option I could think of that might work and that DS2 would still fit in would be a recaro euro.

I know that the S4M has buckle issues. I have a maestro in DH's car with the same type of buckle and though its not my favorite buckle we are using it with no problems.

I would try out a S4M in a store but I can't find one in a 3 hour driving radius. I was hoping amazon would get it but they haven't yet. So odds are that when I buy it there will be no returning it or losing quite a bit of money on it if it doesn't work out.

I would try it. It may work better for DS1 to sit "behind."

Might work, ya, it's pretty narrow at passenger's hip and shoulder. All the new seats are coming out in the next couple weeks, it might even be at Target? (Called the Headwise), (Not that I know if you're even near a Target! LOL).

joolsplus3 said:

Might work, ya, it's pretty narrow at passenger's hip and shoulder. All the new seats are coming out in the next couple weeks, it might even be at Target? (Called the Headwise), (Not that I know if you're even near a Target! LOL).

Click to expand...

Nowhere near a Target. Just a couple of dinky little walmarts.

I bought one off of FSOT. I figure that my sister or aunt will want it if it doesn't work out for us. Now to cross my fingers and wait.