Question Subaru Forester car seat crisis- please help!

We currently have a snugride installed in our 2004 Subaru Forester and it is just not working. We had it installed prior to our baby being born (she is 3 months now). It is outboard behind the passenger seat, and the passenger seat has to be so far up that it is nearly impossible for a person to ride in the front. So, my husband and I can't ride together in the front, and a third adult can only join us if they are really small. Here are my questions, after searching forums, etc...

-Some people say that they get a better result/ solution to this problem if they install the infant seat in the middle without LATCH. I don't understand this at all. Wouldn't that mean that BOTH front seats have to be moved up?

-Would matters (space-wise) improve if we switched to a convertible seat? Specifically, I am looking at the Britax Roundabout. If this would give us enough room in the front passenger seat, I will buy one tomorrow.

Really, we are looking at minivans at this point. We plan to have at least one, probably two, more babies fairly soon. If we could hold off on the new vehicle for just a little while though, that would be best for us financially. I can't believe how small the Forester's back seat is! Thanks so much for any responses or answers that anyone can provide!

Infant seats do take up a lot of space front to back. The only way moving it to the center will help you is if it fits between the seats. Keep in mind that you can leave the handle up on the Snug Ride, which will minimize the front to back space it takes.

Convertible seats take up less space when used with older babies because they can be more upright (as much as 30 degrees from vertical once the child has good head control). Smaller babies still require a 45 degree recline. Even with switching you may not see much relief for a few more months.

There is a poster here who found a good fit in her forester with the Maxi Cosi Priori.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=54800

The Subaru Forester has a hump in the center backseat. It is often difficult to get a good installation in that position, but Britax bases are fairly hump-friendly.