$3000 for one with 230k is a ripoff, nevermind the fact they wouldn't let it get inspected. Shop around!
I got my 03 for $3600 with about 143k miles from a private party. I didn't have a mechanic look at it, but I have a good idea about how to visually inspect a used car. I had to fly 2/3 across the country, look at and buy it, then drive it back, but it was a good price even with the added trip expenses. I had the free time to do it, plus I visited friends and family nearby to where I bought it in Texas, as well as on the drive back through California so it was worth the extra several hundred dollars.
On Craigslist you can create email notifications of new ads. "Save" the search(es) you do, then enable email notifications.
With a dealer, expect to pay anywhere from 1.5x to 2x as much as you would from a private party. So a $4,000 car from a private seller would probably end up being $6,00-$8,000 from a dealer. $4,000 would pay for a lot of repairs later on if they spring up. They could come up just as easily on a 10 year old $8,000 car as they could on a 10 year old $4,000 car, if they are in equal condition. You get no warranty from a dealer so unless you are doing a trade-in, I'd avoid a dealer unless you REALLY want a mechanic you trust to look at the car and even then, if they are a friend, have them come look at the car with you and pay them for doing so.
Not trusting cruise control but trusting a completely computerized throttle (05+) is kind of silly, in my opinion. You'd want an 03-04 with a cable driven mechanical throttle instead, in that case.
Mine came with the rear cargo cover for use behind the rear seats (when they are upright) to help detour theft of items left in there. However, the best insurance against loss and theft is... *gasp* INSURANCE!
I carry full coverage with Progressive for $87/mo (with the $1 auto-pay fee) for the following:
Liability: Medical $50k each person/$100k each accident, Property $50k each accident (aka: 50/100/50)
Personal Injury Protection: $10k
Underinsured Motorist (medical): $50k each person/$100k each accident
Underinsured Motorist (property): $50k each accident ($100 deductible for a standard wreck, $300 for hit & run)
Comprehensive: $100 deductible
Collision: $250 deductible
Roadside Assistance
Considering I was paying $55/mo for 50/100/50 with underinsured, $100 comprehensive, roadside but no collision or personal injury protection on a 93 Geo Metro with Geico, $87/mo isn't too bad in my opinion.