[teddyuk]

"respect the existing code" <-- for me, this means respect the people who wrote it especially if they are still about.

Don't just trash it, learn it, understand it, talk about why it could be improved - people write crap code for many different reasons.

Do replace it but do it with valid reasons and without being horrible.

[mgkimsal]

if they're still around, you can ask questions, and get a much better handle on why it's the way it is, and perhaps avoid earlier mistakes, and come up with a better strategy. maybe even just actually document the 'whys' and leave it as is.