ok....i faced the same problem few months ago, baby coming soon, change car.
i was thinking the new picnic, that is the WISH, i was driving a 4 door estate/touring car.
but before i bought it my wife asked 2 questions:
1. How many people we need to take? Answer 3 most of the time
2. Then if no sliding doors, why get a 7 seater which is slow and ugly? Answer, MSUT SLIDING DOOR.
My baby is 10 days old, it has been a few times we take her out to clinic, I am so glad my car has sliding door!
in reply to oringinal post.
picnic vs stream.
TOYOTA FOR SURE, specially 10 years old. no need think, some people might suggest stream is better looking ,my view is all 7 seaters are ugly cars, in fact all japanese cars are quite ugly. so doesn't matter, you buy a japense car for relaiblity, fuel and practiciality.