15. Fair Value measurements (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,966	$ 10,094
Restricted cash and equivalents	104,445	159,228
Finance receivables, net	740,511	506,647
Finance receivables measured at fair value	59,668	160,253
Residual interest in securitizations	4,824	4,414
Accrued interest receivable	10,411	6,432
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability	355	967
Warehouse lines of credit	21,731	25,393
Accrued interest payable	2,795	6,892
Residual interest financing	13,773	21,884
Securitization trust debt	803,290	594,224
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value	57,107	166,828
Senior secured debt	50,135	58,344
Subordinated renewable notes	23,281	20,750
CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	12,966	10,094
Restricted cash and equivalents	104,445	159,228
Finance receivables, net	744,749	506,279
Finance receivables measured at fair value	59,668	160,253
Residual interest in securitizations	4,824	4,414
Accrued interest receivable	10,411	6,432
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability	355	967
Warehouse lines of credit	21,731	25,393
Accrued interest payable	2,795	6,892
Residual interest financing	13,773	21,884
Securitization trust debt	792,497	583,065
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value	57,107	166,828
Senior secured debt	50,135	58,344
Subordinated renewable notes	23,281	20,750
FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	12,966	10,094
Restricted cash and equivalents	104,445	159,228
Finance receivables, net
Finance receivables measured at fair value
Residual interest in securitizations
Accrued interest receivable
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability
Warehouse lines of credit
Accrued interest payable
Residual interest financing
Securitization trust debt
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value
Senior secured debt
Subordinated renewable notes
level 2
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and equivalents
Finance receivables, net
Finance receivables measured at fair value
Residual interest in securitizations
Accrued interest receivable
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability
Warehouse lines of credit
Accrued interest payable
Residual interest financing
Securitization trust debt
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value
Senior secured debt
Subordinated renewable notes
level 3
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and equivalents
Finance receivables, net	740,511	506,647
Finance receivables measured at fair value	59,668	160,253
Residual interest in securitizations	4,824	4,414
Accrued interest receivable	10,411	6,432
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability	355	967
Warehouse lines of credit	21,731	25,393
Accrued interest payable	2,795	6,892
Residual interest financing	13,773	21,884
Securitization trust debt	803,290	594,224
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value	57,107	166,828
Senior secured debt	50,135	58,344
Subordinated renewable notes	$ 23,281	$ 20,750