Saltwater systems work; I wouldn't say they are better, just different.

But, I'd encourage you to focus on finding out if you have a functional shell and piping system. If you don't, you'll have to spend a LOT of money getting there. You'll need to find the point where the equipment WAS, and see if there is still piping there -- possibly buried. If not, you'll need to get a handle on what it will take to get piping that works.

You can decide whether to chlorinate with a saltwater system or by hand, and whether to get a DE or cartridge filter . . . later, after you're sure you actually HAVE a pool.