Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 segment	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	2
Revenue:
Sales of Used Vehicles	$ 309,468	$ 297,135
Interest Income	74,974	70,528
Dealer Finance and Other Income	2,800	175
Total Revenue	387,242	367,838
Expenses:
Interest Expense	18,146	18,003
Depreciation Expense	5,408	4,951
Other Costs and Operating Expenses	344,757	311,697
Total Costs and Expenses	368,311	334,651
Income Before Income Taxes	18,931	33,187
Assets:	2,079,655		1,989,117
Liabilities:	1,593,617		1,521,564
Equity:	486,038		467,553
DriveTime [Member]
Revenue:
Sales of Used Vehicles	309,468	297,135
Interest Income	74,971	70,528
Dealer Finance and Other Income	0	0
Total Revenue	384,439	367,663
Expenses:
Interest Expense	18,146	18,003
Depreciation Expense	5,277	4,876
Other Costs and Operating Expenses	342,853	310,466
Total Costs and Expenses	366,276	333,345
Income Before Income Taxes	18,163	34,318
Assets:	2,003,189		1,946,714
Liabilities:	1,592,176		1,520,866
Equity:	411,013		425,848
GO Financial [Member]
Revenue:
Sales of Used Vehicles	0	0
Interest Income	3	0
Dealer Finance and Other Income	2,800	175
Total Revenue	2,803	175
Expenses:
Interest Expense	0	0
Depreciation Expense	131	75
Other Costs and Operating Expenses	1,904	1,231
Total Costs and Expenses	2,035	1,306
Income Before Income Taxes	768	(1,131)
Assets:	76,466		42,403
Liabilities:	1,441		698
Equity:	$ 75,025		$ 41,705