WASHINGTON, D.C. — Military members know the value of preparation, and they use that knowledge when financing a vehicle, which generally leads to higher satisfaction, according to a recent survey by Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics.

Apparently, military members lead their civilian counterparts in doing their auto finance homework. And AWARE finds that the more confident they are about their preparation, the more satisfied they are with their auto financing experience.

AWARE conducted opinion polling in 2006 and 2008 to measure attitudes toward vehicle finance among consumers and members of the military. Both surveys found consistently higher rates of satisfaction and preparedness among military members, who are provided access to vehicle financing information and counseling.

Both survey results demonstrate the clear connection between preparedness and overall satisfaction with vehicle financing, officials indicated.

"Given the current economic climate, it is more important than ever for consumers to do their homework and be educated about financing for vehicle purchases," said Eric Hoffman, a spokesman for AWARE, which is a nonprofit organization that teaches consumers about the auto financing process.

"The data from these two surveys of military personnel provide a great example for all consumers: The more research you do, the more pleased you will be with the outcome," he added.

Hoffman went on to say, "Members of the military simply spend more time doing their homework about auto financing, and it pays off. Any consumer will benefit by getting reacquainted with basic auto financing information and easy tips to follow."

For more information on AWARE, visit www.autofinancing101.org.