Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 59,506	$ 51,742
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	17,297	14,978
Deferred income taxes	9,288	6,075
Asset Impairments	609	288
Stock-based compensation	6,960	5,915
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	6,827	6,388
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(9,670)	(1,588)
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	(1,129)	(707)
Other	1,020	764
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	46,280	17,623
Accounts and notes receivable	(3,115)	(14,720)
Inventories	(111,889)	(160,082)
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	19,211	23,871
Prepaid expenses and other assets	2,117	6,215
Increase/DecreaseFloorPlanNotes	43,871	(3,077)
Deferred revenues	125	594
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	87,308	(45,721)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(89,775)	(114,958)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	77,921	213
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(47,300)	(38,434)
Other	574	396
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(58,580)	(152,783)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility - Floorplan Line	3,120,902	2,797,532
Repayments on credit facility - Floorplan Line	(3,042,696)	(2,622,793)
Borrowings on mortgage facility	0	18,080
Principal payments on mortgage facility	(7,241)	(1,065)
Borrowings of other long-term debt	777	36
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans	(12,986)	(4,703)
Borrowings of long term debt related to real estate loans	6,008	21,708
Principal payments of other long-term debt	(80,797)	(2,815)
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	0	(8,496)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	532	2,051
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	1,129	707
Dividends paid	(7,525)	(6,609)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(21,897)	193,633
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(629)	(480)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	6,202	(5,351)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	4,650	14,895
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	10,852	9,544
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 1,856	$ 3,844