Note 7 - Charge-Backs for Various Contracts (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
2016	$ 19,638
2017	10,127
2018	3,907
2019	1,124
2020	214
Thereafter	23
Total	$ 35,033

- Definition

Amount of estimated contractual obligations to be paid in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year related to the cancellation of various contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lad_ChargeBacksFutureMinimumPaymentsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	lad_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of estimated contractual obligations to be paid in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year related to the cancellation of various contracts

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lad_ChargeBacksFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	lad_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of estimated contractual obligations to be paid in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year related to the cancellation of various contracts

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lad_ChargeBacksFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	lad_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of estimated contractual obligations to be paid in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year related to the cancellation of various contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lad_ChargeBacksFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	lad_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of estimated contractual obligations to be paid in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year related to the cancellation of various contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lad_ChargeBacksFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	lad_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of estimated contractual obligations to be paid after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year related to the cancellation of various contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lad_ChargeBacksFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	lad_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of liabilities pertaining to charge backs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lad_ChargeBacksLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	lad_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant