Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 61,539	$ 39,735
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	19,881	19,936
Deferred income taxes	16,280	22,224
Asset impairments	4,008	3,121
Stock-based compensation	8,333	7,505
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	8,871	6,336
Loss on redemption of long-term debt		3,872
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(967)	3,170
Tax effect from stock-based compensation	(651)	985
Other	636	(131)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	39,722	9,624
Accounts and notes receivable	3,908	(4,747)
Inventories	111,704	(152,947)
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	13,525	(5,888)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,454)	7,060
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	19,028	(10,281)
Deferred revenues	(1,245)	(1,759)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	301,118	(52,185)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(109,935)	(34,431)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	5,768	41,001
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(45,052)	(22,699)
Other	421	1,145
Net cash used in investing activities	(148,798)	(14,984)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility - Floorplan Line	3,635,810	3,731,339
Repayments on credit facility - Floorplan Line	(3,759,598)	(3,552,920)
Principal payments on mortgage facility	(1,065)	(35,284)
Proceeds from issuance of 3.00% Convertible Notes		115,000
Debt issue costs		(3,959)
Purchase of equity calls		(45,939)
Sale of equity warrants		29,309
Redemption of other long-term debt		(77,011)
Borrowings of other long-term debt	202	4,909
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans	(5,684)	(2,685)
Borrowings of long-term debt related to real estate	21,823	12,804
Principal payment of other long term debt	(2,851)	(558)
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(44,912)	(26,765)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to benefit plans	3,094	2,562
Tax effect from stock-based compensation	651	(985)
Dividends paid	(8,262)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(160,792)	149,817
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(71)	293
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(8,543)	82,941
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	19,843	13,221
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	11,300	96,162
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment , including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	845	526
Repurchases of common stock, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 5,866