Thank you gents. Makes me think I'm on the right path. Just like hogzilla said though, I'm not sure if the seller will see it that way!
griff: not the first time that I heard of carmax offering a low number. Then they turn around and mark it up by 6 grand. Amazing they can sell anything at all!
Lark: thank your for that data point. If the car was sold by a dealer in 2011 for that, then a pp sale should definitely be lower at the end of 2012.
I've noticed that there are a tonne of zeds in Texas though - wish I lived closer
thanks,
gas-can