BONIFIED, First, I hope you are a girl. It freaks me out when guys refer to themselves as a b*tch of any type. Beyond that, the KDX is indeed a great bike. You can get a 200 which is peppier than the 220 and there are plenty of upgrade options. If you can find a KTM 200 or 250 EXC in your price range, that's even better. Leave yourself (and these are somewhat minimums in my opinion)...$200 for boots, $150 for a helmet (HJC AC-X2), $125 for riding pants, $30 for riding jersey, $25 for riding gloves. That's minimum protection. You may also want knee guards or a chest protector. Also, the jersey and pants are optional...jeans will work, but you won't be stylin' for sure. I know less about the GasGas, but their fans that have had both KTMs and the GasGas' seem to like it. It's just going to be tougher to find a KTM or GG that is late model and still have cash for gear and not go over your $3k budget. I've seen several KDXs that were tricked out with $900 or more of aftermarket upgrades selling for around $2400. Better, in my opinion to find a bike that someone else has put all the expensive goodies on than buy a stock bike, because you never end up getting much of your money back on the goods you add to it.
So a 9.5 on the sexy scale chic in the Wasatch Front, and now you're into dirtbikes? In case you didn't know, that gives you at least 2 bonus points, so you are now officially an 11.5/10 on the sexy scale. If you are a guy, then disregard this and seek help.
***edit: forgot goggles ~ $35 unless you want Oakleys (which are worth the extra cash) You may get a way with using your ski/snowboarding goggles.