moving from 2003 server to 2012 and wondering if i should join current domain and take over as domain controller or start over

I've purchased 2012 standard.

I have been considering starting from scratch by creating a new domain and converting the 16 users from the old domain to the new domain, giving me a fresh start with a new server.

My other option obviously is to set up the new server to join the domain and take over as domain controller.
I have this feeling that a fresh start would be good, but I realize that it will probably take more work to accomplish. I also don't like the fact that when the current domain server was configured they used their external domain name instead of a subdomain of their external domain (i.e.  abc.com instead of internal.abc.com)

Any thoughts are appreciated.

I plan to set it up with the "essentials experience" to be able to take advantage of client and server backup and health status reports.