Finance Receivables Finance Receivables, net (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finance Receivables, net [Line Items]
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	$ 10,598,353		$ 10,598,353			$ 9,162,492
Principal Collection and Recoveries on Receivables			3,049,533	2,816,607
Commercial Loan [Member]
Finance Receivables, net [Line Items]
Finance Receivables, Carrying Value	284,413		284,413		127,560
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	284,413		284,413
Finance Receivables Purchased	410,344		584,140
Principal Collection and Recoveries on Receivables	(253,491)		(299,727)
Consumer Loan [Member]
Finance Receivables, net [Line Items]
Pre-Acquisition Finance Receivables Outstanding Balance	2,597,182		2,597,182			4,366,075
Pre-Acquisition Finance Receivables, Carrying Value	2,349,536		2,349,536			4,027,361
Post-Acquisition Finance Receivables, Carrying Value	8,255,453		8,255,453			5,313,899
Finance Receivables, Carrying Value	10,604,989		10,604,989			9,341,260
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	(291,049)		(291,049)			(178,768)
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	10,313,940		10,313,940			9,162,492
Consumer Loans Auto Financing Receivable [Member]
Finance Receivables, net [Line Items]
Pre-Acquisition Finance Receivables, Carrying Value					2,812,205	4,027,361	5,471,957	7,299,963
Post-Acquisition Finance Receivables, Carrying Value					7,340,242	5,313,899	3,222,584	923,713
Finance Receivables, Carrying Value	10,604,989	9,069,292	10,604,989	9,069,292
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	(291,049)	(151,322)	(291,049)	(151,322)	(249,350)	(178,768)	(107,526)	(26,352)
Finance Receivables Purchased	1,477,860	1,358,115	4,363,019	3,845,258
Principal Collection and Recoveries on Receivables	$ (916,794)	$ (875,993)	$ (2,768,273)	$ (2,588,178)