XML 101 R27.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012
Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan [Abstract] |
Components of inventories | Inventories consist of the following:
|  | December 31, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
|  | (In thousands) |
New vehicles |  | $ | 866,442 |  |  | $ | 569,573 |
Used vehicles |  |  | 175,957 |  |  |  | 178,568 |
Service loaners |  |  | 81,384 |  |  |  | 60,716 |
Parts and accessories |  |  | 53,723 |  |  |  | 54,042 |
Other |  |  | 460 |  |  |  | 234 |
Inventories |  | $ | 1,177,966 |  |  | $ | 863,133 |

X
- Details
Name: | sah_InventoriesAndRelatedNotesPayableFloorPlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | sah_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies held for future sale or to be used in manufacturing, servicing or production process. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 2 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a,b,c -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfInventoryCurrentTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration