Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Number of New Vehicle Brands	27
Number of Stores	87
Interest Costs Capitalized (in Dollars)	$ 300,000	$ 200,000
Advertising Expense (in Dollars)	31,900,000	23,900,000	25,400,000
Cooperative Advertising Amount (in Dollars)	9,600,000	7,800,000	2,500,000
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Amount (in Dollars)	746,200,000
Asset Impairment Charges (in Dollars)	115,000	1,376,000	15,301,000
Product Warranty Accrual (in Dollars)	$ 300,000	$ 500,000
Minimum [Member]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	1.70%
Maximum [Member]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	3.20%