Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies - Charge-backs for Various Contracts (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
2017	$ 24,320
2018	12,831
2019	5,188
2020	1,498
2021	320
Thereafter	71
Total	$ 44,228

- 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