CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 86,311	$ 97,217	$ 81,618
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment	68,793	58,254	54,047
Provision for bad debt expense	1,909	516	249
Other amortization	649	1,165	1,561
Debt issuance cost amortization	2,489	2,135	2,787
Debt discount amortization, net of premium amortization	199	67	(111)
Stock - based compensation expense	9,814	7,675	7,208
Deferred income taxes	15,996	28,470	21,924
Equity interest in earnings of investee	(488)	(283)	(406)
Asset impairment charges	17,955	6,594	9,872
Loss (gain) on disposal of dealerships and property and equipment	(3,089)	(13,323)	267
Loss (gain) on exit of leased dealerships	1,848	302	2,915
(Gain) loss on retirement of debt			28,238
Changes in assets and liabilities that relate to operations:
Receivables	(9,048)	(2,436)	(9,092)
Inventories	(291,100)	(56,203)	(78,646)
Other assets	(19,785)	(278)	(9,834)
Notes payable - floor plan - trade	181,848	30,588	25,835
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities	5,190	190	(11,984)
Total adjustments	(16,820)	63,433	44,830
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	69,491	160,650	126,448
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired		(50,867)	(88,184)
Purchases of land, property and equipment	(173,249)	(146,432)	(157,617)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	1,397	14,122	769
Proceeds from sales of dealerships	7,978	74,823
Distributions from equity investee	225	400	500
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(163,649)	(107,954)	(244,532)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net (repayments) borrowings on notes payable - floor plan - non-trade	74,249	(19,543)	46,638
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	402,093	179,791	231,698
Repayments on revolving credit facilities	(397,890)	(179,791)	(237,874)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	69,075	44,454	353,693
Debt issuance costs	(491)	(2,959)	(5,394)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(19,424)	(19,482)	(19,426)
Repurchase of debt securities			(233,573)
Purchases of treasury stock	(34,483)	(53,046)	(17,067)
Income tax benefit (expense) associated with stock compensation plans	1,888	1,033	856
Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans	3,662	3,274	2,171
Dividends paid	(5,078)	(5,261)	(3,993)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	93,601	(51,530)	117,729
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(557)	1,166	(355)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	4,182	3,016	3,371
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	3,625	4,182	3,016
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Change in fair value of cash flow interest rate swap agreements (net of tax benefit of $205 and expense of $1,769 and $6,514 in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	335	2,886	10,629
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest, including amount capitalized	71,328	71,776	81,626
Income taxes	$ 38,474	$ 50,525	$ 30,158