Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 92,271	$ 83,077
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	26,390	23,074
Deferred income taxes	16,601	10,755
Asset Impairments	1,174	288
Stock-based compensation	10,473	8,943
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	10,453	9,659
Gain Loss On Real Estate Transactions	0	(2,131)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(11,093)	0
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	(1,413)	(1,015)
Other	2,301	1,609
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(9,500)	19,294
Accounts and notes receivable	2,815	6,680
Inventories	(107,994)	(193,145)
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	45,284	25,135
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,046	6,575
Increase/DecreaseFloorPlanNotes	49,814	(5,979)
Deferred revenues	344	(110)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	128,966	(7,291)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(106,672)	(116,528)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	101,821	257
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(63,890)	(67,877)
Other	2,155	2,814
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(66,586)	(181,334)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility - Floorplan Line	4,707,989	4,186,871
Repayments on credit facility - Floorplan Line	(4,652,495)	(4,014,024)
Borrowings on mortgage facility	0	18,080
Principal payments on mortgage facility	(7,919)	(1,648)
Borrowings of other long-term debt	828	36
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans	(32,792)	(7,297)
Borrowings of long term debt related to real estate loans	21,105	54,320
Principal payments of other long-term debt	(65,446)	(3,938)
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	0	(11,317)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	538	1,753
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	1,413	1,015
Dividends paid	(11,676)	(10,029)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(38,455)	213,822
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(2,297)	(1,270)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	21,628	23,927
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	4,650	14,895
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	26,278	38,822
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 501	$ 3,738