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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 Segment Vehicle Dealership Financial_Institutions Collision Brands States Stores | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of dealerships | 111 |  |
Number of states | 14 |  |
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks | 25 |  |
Number of collision repair centers | 21 |  |
Number of Stores | 100 |  |
Percentage of dealership that is accounted for under the equity method | 50.00% |  |
Book overdraft position | $ 39,900,000 | $ 18,900,000 |
Revenue Allowances for commission reserves | 13,200,000 | 11,100,000 |
Amount recognized for continue operation | 32,100,000 | 25,300,000 | 22,500,000
Additional amount recognized for discontinued operation | 900,000 | 1,400,000 | 1,500,000
Contracts in Transit receivables | 183,200,000 | 148,300,000 |
Projected sales in the unit for next year | 15,000,000 |  |
Excess of fair value over carrying value | 1,000,000,000 |  |
Goodwill | 454,224,000 | 468,465,000 | 468,516,000
Deposits | 60,000,000 |  |
Reduction in interest expense | 300,000 |  |
Insurance Reserves | 23,400,000 | 22,200,000 |
Total outstanding balance of financial instruments and market risks | 1,200,000,000 | 934,000,000 |
Advertising Expense | 50,300,000 | 49,100,000 | 43,400,000
Cooperative manufacturer credits advertising expenses | 22,000,000 | 17,700,000 | 13,000,000
Term for funding of finance contracts | 10 days |  |
Number of financial institutions as counterparties to swap transactions | 4 |  |
Prior period reclassification adjustment of balance sheet | 0 |  |
Prior period reclassification adjustment of cash flow | 0 |  |
Number of operating segment | 1 |  |
Automobile Manufacturers [Member] |  |  |
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to automobile manufacturers | 71,600,000 | 63,300,000 |
Financial Institutions [Member] |  |  |
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to financial institutions | 204,900,000 | 169,900,000 |
Restatement Adjustment [Member] |  |  |
Increase in receivable due to prior period adjustment |  | 6,600,000 |
Decrease in other current assets due to prior period adjustment |  | 3,200,000 |
Decrease in other assets due to prior period adjustment |  | 7,800,000 |
Decrease in other accrued liabilities due to prior period adjustment |  | 5,800,000 |
Increase in deferred income taxes due to prior period adjustment |  | $ 1,400,000 |

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