Another thought...
If you're willing to buy used, there are deals out there. Due to the speed at which this technology is evolving, there are plenty of 1st and 2nd generation DSLRs available used, only a year or two old. Check Ebay and other such sites for cams like the Canon 10D, the Nikon D100, and the Canon Digital Rebel, among others. These are already "old" models and so as people upgrade, I assume a lot of them are on the used market in excellent shape. Might be a way to grab a DSLR if that's what you really want.
Good luck!