Any time you buy a car you're going to need substantially more money saved up than the purchase price alone. You have to insure it, you have to pay for parts and repairs, you have to fill up the gas tank, etc. Don't underestimate your expenses.

I bought a car (a '92 GSR btw) for 6 grand while I had about 8 grand in the bank. Take away $1000 for insurance right away, 400 for a set of good tires, assorted repairs that needed to be done, gas, etc and I was carrying about $1000 in credit card balances which quickly multiplied over the months because of interest. I'm a college kid (i.e. limited income) so I eventually had to sell the car to pay off the debt.

Make sure that if you're not getting any sort of loan that you have a good 4 grand in the bank in addition to the money you'll spend on the car itself.