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I think you have just been prequalified. You'll still have to do the paperwork at the dealer, but maybe it will be less painful than normal. When I financed my IS last year with Lexus they did a credit check when I signed the papers and took possession of the car, and then Toyota Motor Credit Corporation pulled my credit report again two weeks later when they finalized the loan on their books. So I got dinged for two credit application hits on my FICO score. But there isn't much you can do about it. That's one reason I don't like to prequalify for something unless I know I will going through with the sale. It just opens the credit report for negative hits by too much credit application in the eyes of Transunion, Experian and Equifax. It may all be reasonable, but the systems aren't sophisticated enough to know that.
When i leased my car i did the same thing. I did the whole pre-approved thingand then went to the stealership. They had it all on file and thats all i really needed. Just make sure to bring your old checks to verify your income. They only did one credit check for me as far as I know.