The lease on my 2003 S8 is running out next month, and I am on the list for the next S8 (due out late 2006). So, I need to decide what to do for the next year. I figure my options are to either buy my current S8 and trade it in next year, or turn it in and get a 12 month lease on a new Audi (A8), if such an arrangement even exists. Any advice?

Then early terminate after 12 months and take the S8. With the current rates you cannot go wrong.

yes, that is an idea, although the SWB lease is about the same as the LWB, so I could do either. I figure I would take about a $3,000 hit on the early termination a year from now. The other option is to get a one year incentivized lease on the 2005.5 S4. They have special deals going on there, making the one year lease on the S4 be about the same as a 2 year lease on an A8 (before early termination costs). Might be fun to drive a roadster for a year before going back to the S8.

Look at it this way, it will brush you up on your "S" driving skills so you'll be ready out of the box with the S8. My lease ends in Feb '07. What timing I have.

My lease ends April of '07...

But given the vacuum of real news releases about the D3 S8, I put a deposit on an M5 just in case. Can't wait to see the intro (if the rumour is true) from the Tokyo Auto Show to finally put a stop to all the hints and speculations!

my dealer tells me the S8 is a sure thing, with a 450 hp V10 out in Q3 of next year. The launch is hyped with a new B&O stereo, replacing the Bose. I may get a one year lease on an S4, which is incentivized.

Old generation Mb S55 have 490+HP - the new generation S63 will have well over 500.

The car needs 475 minimum if it hopes to keep up.

how bad of a hit will I take when I turn it in? My dealer thinks about $3K.

Especially with a car that weighs 4200 or 4400 lbs.....it's all about torque.

Those high HP numbers usually come from RPM's, they are all pretty competitive on torque, Audi usually has other's beat.

Not exactly an avid poster anymore but ...

You might consider assuming someone's lease. You should be able to find a term that fits and perhapse get something that you never woudl have before ... check out www.leasetrader.com and www.swaplease.com for more details.