$3k is steep, but that is for the Para folding stock carbine model. The folding stock standard barrel (50.64) is $2500, the "standard" rifle (50.00) is $2k (about the same as an HK 91).
The SAR's are great guns.
As SteyrAUG said, the Centuries have problems, but if you only have $500 to spend, it is a start--you MUST get the IMBEL receiver gun though. Derek Huffman (Arizona Expert Arms--Bratty's husband) was offering about a $225 re-do on the Centuries where he fixed what was wrong and re-parked them. That solved most of the problems, and as long as you got a decent kit (not a worn barrel) on an IMBEL, you have a decent base.
The DSA "kit" guns are built the same way, with a used parts kit on new receiver and US parts. However, they do it right, the DSA receiver is at least the equal of the IMBEL, the parts kits they got were nearly new, and the US parts are high quality, and it is assembled and refinished by competent craftsmen. It is what the Century should be. Figure on $1000 on one of those for a good FAL.
Alternately, you could find a used DSA SA-58 (factory gun, not their Stg-58A kit gun) for about that much in the standard configuration.
If you do wind up short on Cash, and need to get the Century, it is definitely worth the rebuild by ARS or AZEX arms--it makes it almost as good as the DSA kit gun.
AFARR