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Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Inventories and Related Notes Payable Floor Plan (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Average interest rate for new vehicle floor plan facilities, for continuing operations and discontinued operations | 2.02% | 2.39% | 2.71%
Amount recognized as reduction in cost of sales for continuing and discontinued operations | $ 33.0 | $ 26.7 | $ 24.0
Average interest rate for used vehicle floor plan facilities, for continuing operations and discontinued operations | 2.80% | 2.71% | 2.88%

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- Definition Floor plan assistance recognized. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | sah_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

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- Definition Weighted average interest rate new vehicle floor plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sah_WeightedAverageInterestRateNewVehicleFloorPlan
Namespace Prefix: | sah_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Weighted average interest rate used vehicle floor plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sah_WeightedAverageInterestRateUsedVehicleFloorPlan
Namespace Prefix: | sah_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration