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Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) Franchise | Jun. 30, 2016 Franchise | Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) Franchise
Business Combinations [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of franchise acquired |  | 0 | 0
Number of franchises disposed | 1 | 0 | 1
Net cash generated from disposition | $ | $ 1.3 |  | $ 1.3

X
- Definition Number of franchises disposed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sah_NumberOfFranchisesDisposed
Namespace Prefix: | sah_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Proceeds from dispositions of franchises. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sah_ProceedsFromDispositionsOfFranchises
Namespace Prefix: | sah_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of businesses acquired by the entity during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration