The only ppl that get raped by a leasing company are the ones that don't do their research. I'm currently leasing an 07' A4 2.0T for $389/mo, $0 down, 12K/yr for 3 years. At the end of the lease I can return it, sell it or buy it. My previous lease was a 1.8T Passat which I modded and returned with no problems. Not ALL leasing companies care about you modding or voiding a factory warranty. In my case they just take the car back (in good working condition and acceptable wear and tear, obviously) and then auction it off somewhere. I guess if the car is not worth the residual value THEY calculated they've already made money off the interest I've paid them anyway. So research before you lease.

With 5000$ down, 3 yr lease, 2007 A3 2.0T with s-line and sport package and the open sky package, its costing me around 320$ a month WITH tax included

Technically, it's a bad idea to finance a vehicle, purchase or lease. Just save up until you can afford what you want. [&:] The day you drive off the lot, you owe more than it's worth, which is never a reasonable thing to do. Only borrow on appreciating assets, like your house. (I drove a p.o.s. $3,000 Hyundai for years until I could afford a real car. It's not as bad as one might think to delay joy.)

enough pontificating - I don't advocate leasing for a variety of reasons. You still pay tax, insurance, and interest. You have a hell of a time getting rid of it if you have financial trouble, or just change your mind. You're limited to what you can do with the car (and how many miles you can drive it). The terms are confusing and obfuscating. Et cetera.

Buy a used car still under warranty in and you know exactly what you're getting, what you're paying, what it's worth, and what you can do if you want to dump it.

I have to agree with Chef always talk total cost not monthly cost. The only good thing about a lease is you get a new car every 3yrs. They are perfect for those that have the extra cash to put the rides back to stock when the lease is up. Also every person I know that modifies there car buts more then 10-12K miles on it a year. THOSE THAT MODIFY- DRIVE!! those that don't well...

You don't "get" a new car every 3 years with a lease, at least no simpler than you can with a purchase.