I f you're like a lot of drivers these days, you're leasing a new car every few years.  And it seems to make perfect sense.  You're always driving a shiny new ride equipped with the latest technology, and the payments are about half what they'd be with a three-year loan.   Plus, your vehicle always is covered by the manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper warranty. So, what's not to like?  Nothing, if you don't mind paying thousands of dollars more than if you simply bought the car and held onto it for the long term.  The reality is that leasing, with its low monthly payments, is a deceptively expensive way of acquiring a vehicle,  especially if you lease repeatedly. And the cost will only get higher as interest rates rise.  Yet, leasing remains popular. Currently, about a third of new vehicles are leased, often by those who already are financially stressed. This story explains what's really going on under the hood when it comes to leasing. It includ