Note 4 - Goodwill and Franchise Value - Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Domestic [Member]
Balance	[1]	$ 97,903		$ 91,011
Additions through acquisitions		3,447	[2]	6,892
Reduction related to divestiture		(1,218)
Balance	[1]	100,132		97,903
Import [Member]
Balance	[1]	84,384		79,601
Additions through acquisitions		2,895	[2]	5,029
Reduction related to divestiture				(246)
Balance	[1]	87,279		84,384
Luxury [Member]
Balance	[1]	30,933		28,763
Additions through acquisitions		677	[2]	2,170
Reduction related to divestiture
Balance	[1]	31,610		30,933
Balance	[1]	213,220		199,375
Additions through acquisitions		7,019	[2]	14,091
Reduction related to divestiture		(1,218)		(246)
Balance	[1]	$ 219,021		$ 213,220

[1] Net of accumulated impairment losses of $299.3 million recorded during the year ended December 31, 2008.

[2] Our purchase price allocation is preliminary for the acquisitions related to the Carbone Auto Group and Casper Ford and the associated goodwill has not been allocated to each of our segments. See also Note 12.