Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 20,498	$ 14,964
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment	11,133	9,966
Provision for bad debt expense	91	111
Other amortization	390	414
Debt issuance cost amortization	765	987
Debt discount amortization, net of premium amortization	1,309	1,274
Stock - based compensation expense	107	107
Amortization of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	1,023	551
Deferred income taxes	(429)	(251)
Equity interest in earnings of investees	(101)	(143)
Asset impairment charges	1	17
Loss (gain) on disposal of dealerships and property and equipment	(5,644)	11
Loss on exit of leased dealerships	3,321	1,045
Non - cash adjustments - cash flow swaps	(22)	(178)
Changes in assets and liabilities that relate to operations:
Receivables	48,562	23,977
Inventories	(130,766)	(28,105)
Other assets	(4,736)	(6,754)
Notes payable - floor plan - trade	20,552	(17,047)
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities	(5,222)	17,474
Total adjustments	(59,666)	3,456
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(39,168)	18,420
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of land, property and equipment	(11,958)	(90,587)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	459	284
Proceeds from sale of dealerships	19,963	134
Distributions from equity investees	700	600
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	9,164	(89,569)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net (repayments) borrowings on notes payable floor plan - non-trade	23,090	3,673
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	62,392	122,735
Repayments on revolving credit facilities	(62,392)	(122,735)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	10,700	53,950
Principal payments on long-term debt	(2,547)	(1,844)
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,799)	(3,903)
Income tax benefit (expense) associated with stock compensation plans	1,341	498
Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans	1,000	648
Dividends paid	(1,334)	(1,320)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	30,451	51,702
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	447	(19,447)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	1,913	21,842
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	2,360	2,395
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments (net of tax expense of $1,066 and $1,247 in the first quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	1,741	2,034
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest, including amount capitalized	23,172	25,801
Income taxes	$ 6,243	$ 1,097