Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 22,118	$ 23,117
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,413	7,236
Deferred income taxes	9,127	3,063
Asset Impairments	0	101
Stock-based compensation	3,403	2,894
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	3,386	3,170
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(578)	(8)
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	(749)	(491)
Other	804	420
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	53,266	7,838
Accounts and notes receivable	1,838	7,139
Inventories	(84,053)	(84,600)
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	14,065	18,046
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,764	4,452
Increase/DecreaseFloorPlanNotes	29,043	(1,654)
Deferred revenues	79	(173)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	61,926	(9,450)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(58,272)	(55,323)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	17,523	139
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(19,971)	(17,617)
Other	452	292
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(60,268)	(72,509)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility - Floorplan Line	1,545,263	1,357,442
Repayments on credit facility - Floorplan Line	(1,460,150)	(1,277,202)
Borrowings on mortgage facility	0	4,000
Principal payments on mortgage facility	(6,563)	(533)
Borrowings of other long-term debt	0	36
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans	(3,277)	(2,302)
Borrowings of long term debt related to real estate loans	6,009	9,600
Principal payments of other long-term debt	(66,415)	(840)
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(392)	620
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	749	491
Dividends paid	(3,627)	(3,180)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	11,597	88,132
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(176)	248
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	13,079	6,421
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	4,650	14,895
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	17,729	21,316
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 4,386	$ 847