11. Fair Value measurements (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,866	$ 12,966
Restricted cash and equivalents	139,393	104,445
Finance receivables, net	822,921	740,511
Finance receivables measured at fair value	43,021	59,668
Residual interest in securitizations	3,505	4,824
Accrued interest receivable	10,602	10,411
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability		355
Warehouse lines of credit	26,676	21,731
Accrued interest payable	3,077	2,795
Residual interest financing	13,773	13,773
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value	40,387	57,107
Securitization trust debt	913,591	803,290
Senior secured debt	50,789	50,135
Subordinated renewable notes	23,558	23,281
Carrying Value [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	13,866	12,966
Restricted cash and equivalents	139,393	104,445
Finance receivables, net	832,549	744,749
Finance receivables measured at fair value	43,021	59,668
Residual interest in securitizations	3,505	4,824
Accrued interest receivable	10,602	10,411
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability		355
Warehouse lines of credit	26,676	21,731
Accrued interest payable	3,077	2,795
Residual interest financing	13,773	13,773
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value	40,387	57,107
Securitization trust debt	901,679	792,497
Senior secured debt	50,789	50,135
Subordinated renewable notes	23,558	23,281
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	13,866	12,966
Restricted cash and equivalents	139,393	104,445
Finance receivables, net
Finance receivables measured at fair value
Residual interest in securitizations
Accrued interest receivable
Liabilities:
Warehouse lines of credit
Accrued interest payable
Residual interest financing
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value
Senior secured debt
Subordinated renewable notes
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and equivalents
Finance receivables, net
Finance receivables measured at fair value
Residual interest in securitizations
Accrued interest receivable
Liabilities:
Warehouse lines of credit
Accrued interest payable
Residual interest financing
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value
Senior secured debt
Subordinated renewable notes
Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and equivalents
Finance receivables, net	822,921	740,511
Finance receivables measured at fair value	43,021	59,668
Residual interest in securitizations	3,505	4,824
Accrued interest receivable	10,602	10,411
Liabilities:
Warrant derivative liability		355
Warehouse lines of credit	26,676	21,731
Accrued interest payable	3,077	2,795
Residual interest financing	13,773	13,773
Debt secured by receivables measured at fair value	40,387	57,107
Securitization trust debt	913,591	803,290
Senior secured debt	50,789	50,135
Subordinated renewable notes	$ 23,558	$ 23,281