Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 80,362	$ 58,860	$ 13,719
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Asset impairments	115	1,376	15,301
Stock-based compensation	3,116	2,001	2,419
Gain on disposal of other assets	(747)	(6,495)	(107)
(Gain) loss from disposal activities within discontinued operations	621	(4,396)	301
Deferred income taxes	14,172	8,093	(2,131)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	(2,802)	(525)	(264)
(Increase) decrease (net of acquisitions and dispositions):
Trade receivables, net	(33,704)	(22,503)	(22,881)
Inventories	(230,442)	(78,202)	(68,305)
Other current assets	(4,194)	(13,111)	(1,633)
Other non-current assets	(6,176)	(1,108)	(2,029)
Increase (decrease) (net of acquisitions and dispositions):
Floor plan notes payable	(82,109)	13,510	10,550
Trade payables	8,001	5,998	4,960
Accrued liabilities	10,538	11,605	10,029
Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue	13,459	7,183	1,155
Net cash used in operating activities	(212,476)	(766)	(21,330)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Principal payments received on notes receivable	946	121	85
Capital expenditures	(64,584)	(31,673)	(7,589)
Proceeds from sales of assets	6,027	29,677	10,288
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(44,716)	(60,485)	(23,691)
Payments for life insurance policies	(3,288)	(900)
Proceeds from sales of stores	6,618	23,838	941
Net cash used in investing activities	(98,997)	(39,422)	(19,966)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on floor plan notes payable: non-trade	348,477	63,145	24,090
Borrowings on lines of credit	592,623	56,000	40,000
Repayments on lines of credit	(580,269)	(9,000)	(24,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	42,333	25,674	47,219
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	8,652	5,654	4,192
Repurchase of common stock	(23,279)	(13,568)	(1,626)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	2,802	525	264
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	3,300	(3,300)
Dividends paid	(12,066)	(6,822)	(3,919)
Net cash provided by financing activities	333,461	51,733	37,826
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	21,988	11,545	(3,470)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	20,851	9,306	12,776
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	42,839	20,851	9,306
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	22,976	24,961	25,357
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net	36,579	33,722	8,000
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activities:
Debt issued in connection with acquisitions	2,609		63
Floor plan debt acquired in connection with acquisitions		19,348	1,856
Acquisition of assets with capital leases	2,609		77
Floor plan debt paid in connection with store disposals	6,712	1,784	2,134
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	17,128	16,427	17,012
Deferred income taxes	13,998	7,720	(2,087)
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	186	521	574
Scheduled Payments [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt	(8,347)	(10,909)	(8,248)
Other Payments [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt	$ (40,765)	$ (55,666)	$ (40,146)