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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) | 12 Months Ended |  |
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Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Store Segment reporting_unit Dealerships Brand Franchise Collision State | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($) | Jan. 01, 2018 USD ($)
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of operating segments | Segment | 2 |  |  |  |
Number of new vehicle dealerships | Dealerships | 108 |  |  |  |
Number of states | State | 13 |  |  |  |
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks | Brand | 23 |  |  |  |
Number of collision repair centers | Collision | 15 |  |  |  |
Book overdraft position | $ 0 | $ 6,900,000 |  |  |
Revenue allowances for commission reserves | 25,800,000 | 20,900,000 |  |  |
Amount recognized for floor plan assistance | $ 42,200,000 | 45,300,000 | $ 45,000,000.0 |  |
Term for funding of finance contracts | 10 days |  |  |  |
Contracts in transit included in receivables, net | $ 227,800,000 | 267,600,000 |  |  |
Receivables, net | $ 438,186,000 | 482,126,000 |  |  | $ 486,716,000
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit | 2 |  |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 509,592,000 | 525,780,000 | 472,437,000 |  |
Insurance reserves | 22,900,000 | 22,000,000.0 |  |  |
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from automobile manufacturers | 93,800,000 | 102,500,000 |  |  |
Deposits | 0 | 3,000,000.0 |  |  |
Reduction in interest expense | 0 | 500,000 | 600,000 |  |
Advertising expense | 63,100,000 | 61,600,000 | 61,700,000 |  |
Cooperative manufacturer credits advertising expenses | $ 26,700,000 | 26,000,000.0 | $ 26,200,000 |  |
Number of reportable Segment | Segment | 2 |  |  |  |
Expected business interruption insurance proceeds |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Receivables, net | $ 1,000,000.0 |  |  |  |
Financial institutions |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from financial institutions | 258,700,000 | 299,600,000 |  |  |
Franchise assets |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Franchise asset impairment charge | 2,100,000 | 3,600,000 |  |  |
Continuing operations | Franchise assets |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Franchise asset impairment charge | $ 2,100,000 | $ 3,600,000 |  |  |
Number of franchises resulted in asset impairment charge | Franchise | 1 |  |  |  |
Dealership |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of dealership that is accounted for under the equity method | 50.00% |  |  |  |
Franchised dealerships |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 449,600,000 |  |  |  |
EchoPark |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 60,000,000.0 |  |  |  |
Franchised dealerships |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of stores | Store | 96 |  |  |  |
Minimum | ASU 2016-02 | Subsequent event |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease liabilities |  |  |  | $ 350,000,000.0 |
ROU assets |  |  |  | 350,000,000.0 |
Maximum | ASU 2016-02 | Subsequent event |  |  |  |  |
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease liabilities |  |  |  | 400,000,000.0 |
ROU assets |  |  |  | $ 400,000,000.0 |

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