Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 26,279		$ 40,975
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	225,048		237,448
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current	137,373		151,330
Inventories, net	1,547,436		1,556,705
Deferred income taxes	13,316		11,062
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,037		37,699
Total current assets	1,982,489		2,035,219
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	944,485		950,388
GOODWILL	847,672		830,377
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	305,750		303,947
OTHER ASSETS	18,071		21,561
Total assets	4,098,467		4,141,492
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable - credit facility and other	1,138,495		1,143,246
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	(79,795)		(39,616)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	290,038		307,656
FMCC Offset	(21,000)		(22,500)
Current maturities of long-term debt	69,275		72,630
Accounts payable	250,526		288,320
Accrued expenses	169,567		172,463
Total current liabilities	1,817,106		1,922,199
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	1,077,964		1,008,837
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	142,074		141,239
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	33,793		25,311
OTHER LIABILITIES	67,703		65,896
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0		0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 25,752 and 25,724 issued, respectively	258		257
Additional paid-in capital	283,940		286,854
Retained earnings	882,995		852,057
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(117,124)		(81,984)
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,475 and 1,385 shares, respectively	(90,242)		(79,174)
Total stockholders’ equity	959,827		978,010
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	4,098,467		4,141,492
U.S. [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Total assets	3,516,075		3,529,643
U.K. [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Total assets	359,588		327,644
Brazil [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
GOODWILL	78,110	[1]	94,597	[1]
Total assets	$ 222,804		$ 284,205

[1] 1) Net of accumulated impairment of $42.4 million.