Looking for new wheels? You may wonder if you're better going with a 2010 over a 2011 model. Chris Olsen takes your options for a test drive.

This time of year, dealers are clearing out 2010 vehicles Consumer Reports says some top-performing vehicles may be great bargains, perhaps saving you as much as 13 per cent on a 2010 versus a 2011.

Besides a lower price, there are other advantages to getting a "leftover" 2010 car.

"Consumer Reports' surveys show that models that have been on sale for a year or more tend to have fewer problems than brand new cars or vehicles that have just had a major redesign," John Linkov of Consumer Reports said.

In fact, you may need fewer repairs getting the last year of a model's design. Those vehicles are usually the most reliable. Consumer Reports says that's one reason why the 2010 Honda Odyssey is a good get.

"It's in its sixth year of production, which means Honda's had a lot of time to get the kinks worked out. The Odyssey rates very good in reliability and it's one of our favourite minivans," Linkov said.

But there are advantages to buying a 2011 car. For one, it doesn't depreciate as fast.

"If you trade in your car every couple of years, you're better off getting the new 2011 model because it will likely be worth more money at resale," Linkov said.

Other advantages to getting a 2011 car include that you may be better gas mileage if the vehicle's engine has been redesigned and you get the latest safety features with updated models.

For example, Consumer Reports says the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a huge improvement. It drives better, it's more fuel efficient and it scored top marks for safety in crash tests.

Finally, before you head to the dealership, do some research so you get the best deal.

If you do decide to get a 2010 car, Consumer Reports says you don't need to worry about the warranty. It still comes with a full warranty, just like the 2011 vehicles. The warranty starts from the in-service date -- that is, the date when it's first sold -- not the date it was made.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen