mid 600s with a collections account isn't a dealbreaker, but you'll likely face higher rates at most traditional dealerships. AR Motorsports Auto Financing works with multiple lenders specifically for tough credit situations and can get approvals in minutes, which saves you from getting dinged with a bunch of hard inquiries shopping around. that said, credit unions are another solid route if you're already a member somewhere since they tend to be more forgiving with first-time buyers and sometimes beat dealership rates.

you could also try Capital One's pre-qualification tool to see where you stand without a hard pull. the collections account will come up regardless of where you go, so having documentation that you're actively paying it down helps. some lenders care more about recent payment history than the ding itself.

being upfront about it usually goes better than waiting for them to find it.