Last week marked the launch of AutoBuying 101, and the site also revealed the results from its Auto Buying Experience Study that covered the "best" and "worst" aspects of buying a car, among other areas.

The site aims to be the “essential consumer guide on how to get the best deal on new- and used-auto purchases.”

It features information, research, tools and tips, as well as resource vehicle reviews to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions.

"Generally, consumers like the physical and emotional aspects of buying a vehicle but really don’t like the researching and financial aspects of buying," said Steve Moretti, founder and executive editor of AutoBuying101.com.

"Buyers like the idea of having a new, or new-to-them automobile, that new-car smell, test driving different models and driving off the dealer’s lot in their new vehicle. But they don’t like the more difficult components associated with getting a good value, such as setting a budget and negotiating the sales price, and this is why we created AutoBuying101.com,” he continued.

Moretti previously held executive positions at Capital One Auto Finance and Kelley Blue Book.

Coinciding with the launch of the site, the company announced the results of its first annual Auto Buying Experience Study.

According to the company, this survey asked Americans who purchased a car within the last three months about “how they shopped, how they made purchase decisions and what the experience was like.”

The study also looked at what consumers see as the “best” and “worst” aspects about the auto buying experience.

Overall, the site found that consumer satisfaction is strong but that the auto buying process was found to be stressful, and buyers remain skeptical of dealers’ motives, with only 28 percent of respondents saying they trust automobile dealers.

Counteracting this low number, 79 percent of buyers felt like they received a fair deal on their auto purchase.

But some consumers still seem to associate the vehicle purchase process with high levels of stress; 74 percent of buyers enjoyed the overall auto buying process, but 62 percent said that it was stressful.

Also, almost half (43 percent) of consumers felt the auto buying process was complicated.

The “Best” and “Worst” Aspects of the Car Buying Process

Moving on to what buyers see as the most and least appealing steps in the vehicle purchase process, the site found that that 38 percent of respondents thought the best part of auto buying was driving away in their new vehicle, while 19 percent felt that test driving and inspecting topped the list.

On the other hand, 37 percent said negotiating the price of a vehicle was the least appealing chapter in  the purchase process, and 22 percent checked setting a budget was the worst part.

The study also touched on buyer’s shopping habits and found that most spend one to three months considering their purchase before buying.

Also, not surprisingly, results showed that 83 percent of respondents visited manufactures websites, 82 percent visited independent automotive information sites and 78 percent checked out at least one dealership website.

The survey also revealed that the vehicle purchase process is not normally a solo job. Sixty-six percent of respondents brought a friend or family member with them to shop for their new ride.

Consumer Preparedness and What Buyers “Need to Know”

“While there is a plethora of information available about new and used models, auto buyers are still focused on the physical aspects of buying a car versus the transactional aspects,” noted the company.

This was made evident through survey results, which revealed that 44 percent of buyers did not know their credit score before making a purchase, and 47 percent did not try and get pre-approved for financing before their purchase.

Moreover, 44 percent noted they did not even have a scheduled appointment with a dealer on the day they bought their car.

Moretti offered his opinion on these results: "If a consumer wants the best deal, it is imperative for them to do their homework and be organized before walking into a dealership. The more they know, the easier, faster and less stressful the process will be."

Based on the study’s results, AutoBuying101 also provided a list of tasks to keep in mind when preparing to buy a vehicle:

—Set a budget: “Use online calculator tools to help you understand how much you can afford and what you will be paying on a monthly basis. Don’t forget the additional fees associated with taxes and registration.”

—Know your credit score: “If you plan on financing the purchase, know your credit score and try and get pre-approved . Your credit score is the single most important piece of information relative to your ability to qualify for financing plans. If you can get pre-approved, even if you use financing provided by the dealer, you will have more control in the negotiation process and will ensure you are getting a competitive financing plan.”

—Shop online and compare prices: “Begin the process from your home or office to reduce stress and save time. Have potential dealers/seller provide you pricing over the phone or through email to streamline price negotiations.”

—Setup an appointment: “Before you head to the dealership, setup an appointment with the Internet manager (who usually has more experience with organized consumers that are shopping around). If you develop contact with the Internet manager before you head to the dealership, you should be able to get in and out of the dealership faster.”

—Bring a friend or family member: “Take someone with you to help give you a second opinion and provide you on the spot advice.”

The Auto Buying Experience survey is a nationally projectable survey conducted online among 535 respondents, according to the company. The survey was conducted by independent third party marketing research firm United Sample during the month of June 2011.

If interested in the initial results of the survey, visit www.autobuying101.com/reports.

More results will be made available on Autobuying101.com in the coming months, the company noted.