Relatively small convertible car seat for newborn

Hi, I'm new to the world of car seats and looking for some guidance in buying one for our first child, due in April.

I'm looking to avoid, if possible, the bucket seat, as both my husband and I have back problems, so we won't be able to carry the bucket around. We aren't anticipating a tiny baby, but we do need something that will work for a newborn.

We drive a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, and need something that will fit in the centre without having to move the seats back more than a notch, so nothing too big. My husband is 6'5", and usually sits in the passenger seat, but does need to be able to drive the car. We're looking to keep the kid in this seat for about 2 years, at which point in time we hope to have another child and can move this one into a seat that might not work so well for a newborn. We are hoping, within the next 3-4 years, to have a third, so ideally we are hoping to find a seat that will allow us to puzzle together two other car seats (depending obviously on the expiry date of the seat). Basically we would like to consider future needs while making this purchase, and we already know that we will not be able to afford another car in the next five years.

So with that (perhaps confusing) criteria in mind, does anyone have any suggestions on where to start? Thanks!

I know this http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=907181&highlight=vibe#post907181 was an American post, but it looks like the Britax Marathon might work rear facing in your car. You might want to check that out.
And then here's a thread about how the marathon works for newborns.... http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=1055

I've used a convertible from birth for all 3 of my kids - it's always been a graco my ride 65 - so you might want to check that out too. No idea if it'll fit in your car or not, but it might....

Whatever you end up with, make sure you know what to do to keep baby safe in a convertible. My last one was 9lbs and still needed a crotch roll in the MR.

I'm pretty sure both seats puzzle well with LOTS of stuff - in the future once #1 gets bigger and you've got #2 on the way maybe a Radian with an angle adjuster would work for #1 so you can ERF and still have room for your husband? Anyway, I really have no clue. But at least that's some stuff to look at!

Hope that helps at least a little bit!

I'm in the US, but I used Britax convertibles from the start this time. Here are my pics. http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=225601
I love these seats for the first two years (or longer for smaller kids) then moving to a taller convertible to rear face longer and pass the Britax down. I think its the Marathon 65 in Canada.