Consolidating Condensed Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	$ 175,643	$ 201,953
Investing activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(143,591)	(57,322)
Dealership acquisitions, net	(30,734)	(111,522)
Other	(9,695)	(3,653)
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(184,020)	(172,497)
Financing activities:
Repurchase of 3.5% senior subordinated convertible notes		(37,778)
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	(11,171)	(6,427)
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	33,478	35,218
Repurchase of common stock	(15,813)	(9,829)
Dividends	(26,216)	(18,918)
Other	235
Net cash from continuing financing activities	(19,487)	(37,734)
Net cash from discontinued operations	10,671	17,228
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(17,193)	8,950
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	43,447	26,997
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	26,254	35,947
3.5% Notes
Financing activities:
Interest rate (as a percent)		3.50%
Penske Automotive Group
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	72,085	56,571
Investing activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(671)	(754)
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(671)	(754)
Financing activities:
Repurchase of 3.5% senior subordinated convertible notes		(37,778)
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	(40,000)	(18,000)
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	10,615	28,708
Repurchase of common stock	(15,813)	(9,829)
Dividends	(26,216)	(18,918)
Net cash from continuing financing activities	(71,414)	(55,817)
Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	51,307	10,787
Investing activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(120,322)	(44,404)
Dealership acquisitions, net	(29,314)	(3,416)
Other	(15,503)	(970)
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(165,139)	(48,790)
Financing activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	80,273	(967)
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	(6,654)	19,651
Distributions from (to) parent	392	585
Net cash from continuing financing activities	74,011	19,269
Net cash from discontinued operations	4,102	9,933
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(35,719)	(8,801)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	36,478	26,767
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	759	17,966
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	52,251	134,595
Investing activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(22,598)	(12,164)
Dealership acquisitions, net	(1,420)	(108,106)
Other	5,808	(2,683)
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(18,210)	(122,953)
Financing activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	(51,444)	12,540
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	29,517	(13,141)
Distributions from (to) parent	(392)	(585)
Other	235
Net cash from continuing financing activities	(22,084)	(1,186)
Net cash from discontinued operations	6,569	7,295
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	18,526	17,751
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,969	230
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 25,495	$ 17,981