As a user, you have pretty much the same capabilities to tweak airplane parameters with the older or newer Aerofly simulator. My point is that if you are interested in taking advantage of things like the add-on pattern / sequence grid, you can't use it with AFP, only AFPD (the new one). Likewise, you aren't going to see much in the way of new development from 3rd party "shareware" types for AFP, but you will for AFPD. Therefore, it is likely that more and better Scale Aerobatics type add-on models suitable for sequence work will become available for free for AFPD. For my money, it's worth getting the new version so that you don't get left behind. You can always upgrade if you do choose the older version, however, you will have to send in your software and adapter to get the upgrade, so you will experience some downtime during the upgrade.

Besides all this, it's just a simulator, though a very good one. At the end of the day, it's usefulness in really practicing sequence work is limited. It's never going to be the same experience. For example, I find it's really good for keeping the rust off during the winter and for developing "muscle memory" for complex stuff like rolling circles or even for holding altitude and line in slow rolls, where the rudder/elevator integration work is a key skill. Throw in cross wind components and try to make those things work and you will increase your skills, but hoping that the model will fly just like being at the field is probbaly going to lead to some disapointment.