Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 74,327	$ 92,271
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	31,424	26,390
Deferred income taxes	6,494	16,601
Asset Impairment Charges	11,094	1,174
Stock-based compensation	11,871	10,473
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	9,661	10,453
Loss on extinguishment of 3.00% Convertible Notes	29,478	0
Loss on extinguishment of 2.25% Convertible Notes	16,925	0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	46,403	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(17,363)	(11,093)
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	(1,145)	(1,413)
Other	2,047	2,301
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	54,911	(9,500)
Accounts and notes receivable	(6,562)	2,815
Inventories	79,265	(107,994)
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	33,839	45,284
Prepaid expenses and other assets	12,923	1,046
Increase/DecreaseFloorPlanNotes	(77,155)	49,814
Deferred revenues	(198)	344
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	271,836	128,966
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(309,257)	(106,672)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	138,800	101,821
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(91,345)	(63,890)
Other	(5,832)	2,155
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(267,634)	(66,586)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility - Floorplan Line	6,047,392	4,707,989
Repayments on credit facility - Floorplan Line	(6,086,414)	(4,652,495)
Borrowings on Credit Facility Acquisition Line	314,963	0
Repayments on Credit Facility Acquisition Line	(374,989)	0
Borrowings on real estate credit facility	200	0
Principal payments on real estate credit facility	(9,081)	(7,919)
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	539,600	0
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	(1,881)	0
Repayments of 3.00% Convertible Notes	260,074	0
Proceeds from call options and warrants related to 3% Notes	32,697	0
Repayments of 2.25% Convertible Notes	(182,756)	0
Borrowings of other long-term debt	78,710	828
Principal payments of other long-term debt	(70,267)	(65,446)
Borrowings of long term debt related to real estate loans	65,628	21,105
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans	(39,024)	(32,792)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	187	538
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(16,947)	0
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	1,145	1,413
Dividends paid	(12,291)	(11,676)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	26,798	(38,455)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(563)	(2,297)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	30,437	21,628
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	20,215	4,650
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	50,652	26,278
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,440	501
Purchase of common stock accrued in accounts payable	$ 16,824	$ 0