Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 17,687	$ 20,215
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	208,461	225,156
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current	131,494	135,058
Inventories, net	1,537,112	1,542,318
Deferred income taxes	18,262	21,150
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,257	24,041
Total current assets	1,936,273	1,967,938
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	827,121	796,356
GOODWILL	747,091	737,303
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	301,174	301,505
OTHER ASSETS	14,278	16,376
Total assets	3,825,937	3,819,478
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable - credit facility and other	1,108,849	1,143,104
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	(33,646)	(56,198)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	314,976	346,572
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing	29,967	36,225
Accounts payable	280,454	254,930
Accrued expenses	150,319	140,543
Total current liabilities	1,850,919	1,865,176
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	665,042	663,689
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	150,009	152,291
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	25,661	26,078
OTHER LIABILITIES	49,052	47,975
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 11)
TEMPORARY EQUITY - Redeemable equity portion of the 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes	28,194	29,094
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 25,801 and 25,746 issued, respectively	258	257
Additional paid-in capital	368,728	368,641
Retained earnings	803,302	776,101
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(44,242)	(51,677)
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,588 and 1,432 shares, respectively	(70,986)	(58,147)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,057,060	1,035,175
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,825,937	$ 3,819,478