Ford pre approval

[bobtail]

Ford is advertising you can pre qualify on their website.  Is this a hard pull? 

FICO 669, gross 5500, no outstanding debt. no mortgage. Two satisfied judgments from 2003, two collection accounts from 2005.

Looking to finance 20K, 5K down payment.

Love to buy 06 Volvo or Lexus, but I understand Ford is easier for financing

[Anonymous]

Yes, but understand that the online financing (if you credit is not perfect) may decline you even when the dealer could get an approval.  The LO at the dealer knows better how to work out the deal to get an approval and can shop different lenders for you and play them against one another.  It is usually best to try throug a local CU or something and go in with a pre-approval.  Negotiate a deal on the car itself, and then if you want to let them run your credit and stuff you can to compare.