Well, I did get approved so I'm back in the game now. Just went to look at a 08 premium. Dealers around here are so used to suckers paying sticker that they seem to think I'm crazy for making offers for less. The search continues.
If you know someone who works for Ford they can get you an X plan number which will automatically get you to about invoice price.
There are plenty of Ford employees out there. I can easily get an X plan number when I trade.
my brother in law just picked up a premium 06GT vert with side airbags, IUP, shaker500, 18" polished fanblades, active anti-theft, 23000 miles, etc for 23k.