Oh yea! Better water, or what it really is, is more consistant chlorinated water. There is less ups and downs. Having the salt also really helps the water feel softer. The only drawback i have and other people is that some cheaper stainless screws will rust.

Like you mentioned, you're going to drop 30,000+ easily, not including landscaping, whats 1,000? But like I said, its much easier to do when you are building a new pool. If you have had a pool built before they were popular and are used to doing it "the old fashioned way" then I can see how you would have to weigh the costs vs. benefits senario.