Consolidating Condensed Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended									9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 3.5% Notes	Sep. 30, 2013 5.75% Notes	Dec. 31, 2012 5.75% Notes	Sep. 30, 2012 5.75% Notes	Sep. 30, 2012 7.75% Notes	Sep. 30, 2013 Penske Automotive Group 5.75% Notes	Dec. 31, 2012 Penske Automotive Group 5.75% Notes	Sep. 30, 2013 Reportable legal entities Penske Automotive Group	Sep. 30, 2012 Reportable legal entities Penske Automotive Group	Sep. 30, 2013 Reportable legal entities Guarantor Subsidiaries	Sep. 30, 2012 Reportable legal entities Guarantor Subsidiaries	Sep. 30, 2013 Reportable legal entities Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	Sep. 30, 2012 Reportable legal entities Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
Net cash from continuing operating activities	$ 297,997	$ 262,748								$ 59,444	$ 95,748	$ 56,502	$ 40,064	$ 182,051	$ 126,936
Investing activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(122,952)	(96,380)								(983)	(766)	(84,506)	(67,233)	(37,463)	(28,381)
Purchase of Penske Car Rental vehicles	(82,313)											(82,313)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		1,584													1,584
Acquisitions, net	(221,160)	(137,805)										(22,005)	(3,416)	(199,155)	(134,389)
Other	(7,493)	3,496									(3,812)	(7,522)		29	7,308
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(433,918)	(229,105)								(983)	(4,578)	(196,346)	(70,649)	(236,589)	(153,878)
Financing activities:
Repurchase of 3.5% senior subordinated convertible notes		(62,687)									(62,687)
Issuance of 5.75% senior subordinated notes		550,000									550,000
Repurchase of 7.75% senior subordinated notes		(390,755)									(390,755)
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	123,825	(133,913)								(18,000)	(149,000)	71,147	(1,598)	70,678	16,685
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	76,525	32,410								16,015	9,363	29,300	11,471	31,210	11,576
Repurchases of common stock	(15,813)	(9,829)								(15,813)	(9,829)
Dividends	(40,663)	(29,760)								(40,663)	(29,760)
Payment of deferred financing fees		(8,502)									(8,502)
Distributions from (to) parent												1,154	4,747	(1,154)	(4,747)
Other	235													235
Net cash from continuing financing activities	144,109	(53,036)								(58,461)	(91,170)	101,601	14,620	100,969	23,514
Net cash from discontinued operations	19,466	18,282										9,279	6,725	10,187	11,557
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	27,654	(1,111)										(28,964)	(9,240)	56,618	8,129
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	43,447	26,997										36,478	26,767	6,969	230
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 71,101	$ 25,886										$ 7,514	$ 17,527	$ 63,587	$ 8,359
Interest rate (as a percent)			3.50%	5.75%	5.75%	5.75%	7.75%	5.75%	5.75%