Note 14 - Acquisitions - Summary of Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash paid, net of cash acquired		$ 234,700	$ 71,615	$ 659,634
Forgiven outstanding notes receivable			1,374
Goodwill	[1]	259,399	213,220	$ 199,375
Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Cash paid, net of cash acquired		234,700
Property and equipment transferred		2,637
Forgiven outstanding notes receivable
Total		237,337
Trade receivables, net
Inventories		148,915
Franchise value		27,087
Property and equipment		75,345
Other assets		990
Floor plan notes payable		(30,134)
Debt and capital lease obligations		(22,813)
Other liabilities		(9,450)
		189,940
Goodwill		47,397
		$ 237,337
2015 Acquisitions [Member]
Cash paid, net of cash acquired			71,615
Property and equipment transferred
Forgiven outstanding notes receivable			1,374
Total			72,989
Trade receivables, net			36
Inventories			34,374
Franchise value			6,843
Property and equipment			22,118
Other assets			224
Floor plan notes payable
Debt and capital lease obligations			(2,160)
Other liabilities			(2,537)
			58,898
Goodwill			14,091
			$ 72,989

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