Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 55,716	$ 25,575
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment	30,041	25,938
Provision for bad debt expense	483	756
Other amortization	1,246	1,242
Debt issuance cost amortization	2,992	2,702
Debt discount amortization, net of premium amortization	3,911	3,872
Stock - based compensation expense	327	419
Amortization of restricted stock	2,348	1,773
Deferred income taxes	(1,280)	(656)
Equity interest in earnings of investees	(462)	(585)
Asset impairment charges	160	132
Loss (gain) on disposal of franchises and property and equipment	243	(978)
Loss on exit of leased dealerships	4,195	2,321
Loss on retirement of debt	831	7,665
Non-cash adjustments - cash flow swaps	599	5,402
Changes in assets and liabilities that relate to operations:
Receivables	38,789	65,667
Inventories	87,744	(82,768)
Other assets	(6,188)	(14,706)
Notes payable - floor plan - trade	(53,640)	221,573
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities	25,621	(27,288)
Total adjustments	137,960	212,481
Net cash provided by operating activities	193,676	238,056
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of land, property and equipment	(135,897)	(44,039)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	653	979
Proceeds from sale of franchises	129	24,644
Distributions from equity investees	600	600
Net cash used in investing activities	(134,515)	(17,816)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net repayments on notes payable floor plan - non-trade	(50,528)	(212,722)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	228,002	40,000
Repayments on revolving credit facilities	(210,002)	(40,000)
Proceeds from issuance of mortgage notes	61,470	1,449
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		208,528
Principal payments on long-term debt	(17,939)	(4,673)
Repurchase of debt securities	(52,585)	(233,190)
Purchases of treasury stock	(9,112)	(1,073)
Income tax benefit associated with stock compensation plans	1,143	636
Income tax benefit associated with convertible hedge		205
Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans	524	1,188
Dividends paid	(3,969)
Net cash used in financing activities	(52,996)	(239,652)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	6,165	(19,412)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	21,842	30,035
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	28,007	10,623
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments (net of tax benefit of $2,242 and $830 in 2011 and 2010, respectively)	(3,660)	(1,353)
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest, including amount capitalized	69,973	74,778
Income taxes	$ 18,982	$ (15,289)