13. Fair Value Measurements (Details Narrative) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements Details Narrative
Finance receivables related to reposessed vehicles in inventory	$ 39,728	$ 28,234
Valuation adjustment, loss allowance	$ 26,954	17,829
Recovery rate	32.00%
Estimated fair value and carrying amount of repossed inventory	$ 12,774	$ 10,405

No definition available.

Name:	cpss_FairValueMeasurementsDetailsNarrativeAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cpss_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Recovery rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cpss_RecoveryRate
Namespace Prefix:	cpss_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of all assets obtained in full or partial satisfaction of a debt arrangement through foreclosure proceedings or defeasance; includes real and personal property; equity interests in corporations, partnerships, and joint ventures; and beneficial interests in trusts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4437-111522

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeclosedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of assets other than real property that were received in full or partial satisfaction of a debt arrangement through foreclosure proceedings or defeasance.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherForeclosedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total of the adjustments in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 09
-Article 12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration