I'm gonna echo everybody else. $3000 is way too low for a 3rd gen, especially with low miles. Even $4000 is pushing it, though I have seen the occasional 2WD with 150k-200k miles in the $4000 range. Most are going to be at least $5000-$6000, especially for 4WD and lower miles.

I'm in the market as well and I originally started out with about the same budget, but I quickly figured out that I couldn't get what I wanted for my money. As brian2sun said, $3000 will get you a 2nd gen fairly easily, though it probably won't have the lowest miles. I just saw one today here in California - a '95 with only 71k miles - priced at $6200. I laughed at first; I mean, come on, $6200 for a 2nd gen with a 3.slo? But then I blue booked it...and it was pretty much spot on.

My advice is to check Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) to figure out what you should be paying. Most sellers will use that at least as a guideline. You won't find many cars priced much below their blue book value unless there's something seriously wrong with them.