It would be very helpful to upload a ZIP file with resources (e.g. PDF, images, etc...) and have AbanteCart automatically unzip the file and add the individual files to the product.
Pete v1.1.7 was released 24 September 2013, which was almost 10 years ago. You should seriously consider upgrading to 1.2.16 since, as you have pointed out, your web host will soon disable the mysql extension and then your site will be dead.
That's a difficult question to answer, since the "speed" of a web site is dependent on many factors, most of which are out of the control of AbanteCart. My suggestion would be to install AbanteCart on a test server and try it.
I visited your site, it wasn't that slow for me. I had to wait a bit for a few pages, but it was otherwise pretty snappy, and I am in the US.
I don't think so...the closest thing available is https://abantecart.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/AD/pages/15466660/Language+Definitions. The idea is you can look through the Language Definitions in Admin Console > System > Localization > Language Definitions and make your translations there. Most (not all) localized strings can be found there.
Was unable to resolve with Dropbox, instead downloaded all of the files, FTPed up to my server and using some Excel formula manipulations, re-directed the upload to my local server.
I am not sure how a client would feel about my ability to have access to their credit card information or being able to place orders on their behalf without their intervention. That seems like you would have unprecedented access to place whatever order you wanted at any time!
I am wondering if a trial period is available for the Elasticsearch extension? It is an expensive extension, along with Elasticsearch itself so I would like to try it out, if possible before deciding to keep it.