I know now that I'm posting this, it'll happen, but I bought her in May of '97 (or June) and I haven't had any problems with the water pump, though I just hit 43k. I haven't autox'ed, haven't driven her that hard, I ususally shift aggressively at 3500-4500 on everyday driving, RARELY take it past 5k since it's so loud and draws the attention of hormone-bound retards in coffee-can-tipped exhaust-civics aching for a beating. . .don't know if the "unagressive" driving, which is uncharacteristic of our forum, is what has helped thus far, but I too am debating whether to preemptively replace the water pump. . .it just seems like it's expensive to get a shop to install it. What do y'all think? Oh yeah, I baby her, get radiator flushes every 2 years, engine oil amsoil every 4 months, etc.

'98 Black SVT #651 of 6535
KKM Intake (Miks Heat Shield in Winters/Drop-in K&N Summers), SHO Y-Pipe, and Bassani Exhaust.
Eibach Pro-Kit, Koni Struts, and Enkei RS5's with BFG-KDWs (215/45-ZR17)
BAER 13" big brake kit+rear baer rotors all zinc washed, cross-drilled and slotted (Greenstuff binding rears)
Kenwood head unit with Infinity reference speakers+1 8" Bazooka Tube fed by two MTX Blue Thunder amps.
Hella Stage II HIDS from hids4less.com.
Recaro Sport Seats trimmed in supple black leather.
And Zymol wax to keep it squeaky clean.