Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net borrowings on 5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes	$ 296,250	$ 0	$ 0
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	93,999	93,004	113,992
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	47,239	42,344	35,826
Deferred income taxes	11,884	12,319	22,412
Asset impairments	87,562	41,520	6,542
Stock-based compensation	18,851	16,012	13,899
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	3,652	10,559	13,888
Loss on 3.00% Convertibles Notes repurchase	0	29,478	0
Loss on 2.25% Convertible Notes conversion and redemption	0	16,925	0
Gain on disposition of assets	9,719	15,994	11,043
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	(2,142)	(1,841)	(2,993)
Other	3,334	4,686	3,665
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,108	37,344	41,144
Accounts and notes receivable	(17,887)	(20,179)	(9,489)
Inventories	(186,634)	27,339	(241,871)
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	(17,944)	(10,530)	(18,974)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,153)	(5,385)	1,941
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates	87,516	(78,822)	83,203
Deferred revenues	(619)	(491)	230
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	141,047	198,288	52,372
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(212,252)	(336,551)	(269,860)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	41,581	144,597	102,186
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(120,252)	(150,392)	(102,858)
Other	6,421	(4,705)	1,878
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(284,502)	(347,051)	(268,654)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility — floorplan line and other	7,557,237	7,832,014	6,379,328
Repayments on credit facility — floorplan line and other	(7,504,516)	(7,802,719)	(6,153,677)
Borrowings on credit facility — acquisition line	489,548	389,368	60,000
Repayments on credit facility — acquisition line	(557,696)	(379,681)	0
Borrowings on real estate credit facility	0	200	19,640
Principal payments on real estate credit facility	3,340	9,917	8,597
Net borrowings on 5.00% Senior Unsecured Notes	0	539,600	0
Debt issue costs	788	1,881	0
Repurchase of 3.00% Convertible Notes	0	(260,074)	0
Proceeds from Call/Warrant Unwind related to 3.00% Convertible Notes	0	32,697	0
Conversion and redemption of 2.25% Convertible Notes	0	(182,756)	0
Borrowings on other debt	59,855	91,137	10,289
Principal payments of other debt	(63,769)	(85,905)	(71,170)
Borrowings on debt related to real estate	(32,026)	(111,979)	(55,345)
Principal payments on debt related to real estate loans	(68,739)	(50,033)	(36,978)
Net Issuance of Common and Treasury Shares to Employee Stock Compensation Plans	214	(321)	(1,822)
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(97,473)	(36,802)	(3,553)
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	2,142	1,841	2,993
Dividends paid	(19,942)	(17,097)	(15,805)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	121,009	171,650	235,993
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(5,492)	(2,127)	(4,146)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(27,938)	20,760	15,565
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	40,975	20,215	4,650
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	13,037	40,975	20,215
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 32,720	$ 21,166	$ 11,155