Guarantor Consolidating Financial Statements Current Period Guarantor Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Guarantor [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 1,805,981	$ 572,297	$ 307,215	$ 194,554
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	10,598,353	9,162,492
Restricted Cash and Investments	718,729	919,283
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	118,492	136,556
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	52,079	47,440
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Net	1,570,625	809,491
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	143,733	108,684
Goodwill	1,108,437	1,107,982
Intercompany Receivable	40,859	37,447
Other Assets	137,911	141,248
Assets	16,295,199	13,042,920
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	556,946	1,099,391
Securitized Debt Obligation Liability	9,005,203	6,937,841
Senior Notes	1,500,000	500,000
Convertible Senior Notes		500
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses	233,151	160,172
Deferred Revenue	66,647	24,987
Taxes Payable	91,480	85,477
Intercompany Taxes Payable	548,056	300,306
Derivative Liabilities	1,802	11,208
Liabilities	12,003,285	9,119,882
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	3,458,905	3,470,495
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	327	(7,617)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	832,682	460,160
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	4,291,914	3,923,038
Liabilities and Equity	16,295,199	13,042,920
Parent Company [Member]
Guarantor [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	220	220
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	32,760	28,572
Goodwill	1,094,923	1,094,923
Intercompany Receivable	40,859	35,975
Other Assets	17,974	7,880
Due from Affiliates	1,988,691	769,778
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	3,268,790	2,871,356
Assets	6,444,217	4,808,704
Senior Notes	1,500,000	500,000
Convertible Senior Notes		500
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses	19,607	4,975
Taxes Payable	84,640	79,885
Intercompany Taxes Payable	548,056	300,306
Liabilities	2,152,303	885,666
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	3,458,905	3,470,495
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	327	(7,617)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	832,682	460,160
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	4,291,914	3,923,038
Liabilities and Equity	6,444,217	4,808,704
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	1,742,053	500,556	262,754	185,004
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	924,865	558,770
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	3,940	3,567
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	10,331	49,792
Other Assets	19,819	50,304
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	1,457,512	3,166,458
Assets	4,158,520	4,329,447
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses	106,538	60,070
Taxes Payable	5,071	4,882
Derivative Liabilities	1,501	4,768
Due to Affiliate	3,094,809	3,697,315
Liabilities	3,207,919	3,767,035
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	79,187	79,187
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	871,414	483,225
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	950,601	562,412
Liabilities and Equity	4,158,520	4,329,447
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Guarantor [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	63,928	71,741	44,461	9,550
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net	9,673,488	8,603,722
Restricted Cash and Investments	718,729	919,283
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	118,492	136,556
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	47,919	43,653
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Net	1,570,625	809,491
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	100,642	30,320
Goodwill	13,514	13,059
Intercompany Receivable		1,472
Other Assets	100,118	83,064
Due from Affiliates	1,106,118	2,927,537
Assets	13,513,573	13,639,898
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	556,946	1,099,391
Securitized Debt Obligation Liability	9,005,203	6,937,841
Senior Notes
Convertible Senior Notes
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses	107,006	95,127
Deferred Revenue	66,647	24,987
Taxes Payable	1,769	710
Intercompany Taxes Payable
Derivative Liabilities	301	6,440
Due to Affiliate
Liabilities	9,737,872	8,164,496
Common Stock, Value, Issued	562,817	517,037
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	194,286	1,001,958
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	385	(17,396)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	3,018,213	3,973,803
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	3,775,701	5,475,402
Liabilities and Equity	13,513,573	13,639,898
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Guarantor [Line Items]
Due from Affiliates	(3,094,809)	(3,697,315)
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	(4,726,302)	(6,037,814)
Assets	(7,821,111)	(9,735,129)
Due to Affiliate	(3,094,809)	(3,697,315)
Liabilities	(3,094,809)	(3,697,315)
Common Stock, Value, Issued	(562,817)	(517,037)
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	(273,473)	(1,081,145)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(385)	17,396
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	(3,889,627)	(4,457,028)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	(4,726,302)	(6,037,814)
Liabilities and Equity	$ (7,821,111)	$ (9,735,129)