Exhibit 5.1





                               January 31, 2000

Board of Directors
Sonic Automotive, Inc.
5401 East Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28212

Dear Sirs:

      We are acting as counsel to Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "COMPANY"), in connection with the preparation, execution, filing and
processing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION"),
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "ACT"), of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT") relating to
the issuance and sale of up to 966,960 shares (the "SHARES") of common stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), reserved for issuance under the
FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan Amended and Restated as of
December 10, 1999 (the "PLAN"). This opinion is furnished to you for filing with
the Commission pursuant to Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under
the Act.

      In our representation of the Company, we have examined the Registration
Statement, the Plan, and the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws, each as amended to date, all pertinent actions of the
Company's Board of Directors recorded in the Company's minute book, the form of
certificate evidencing the Shares and such other documents as we have considered
necessary for purposes of rendering the opinions expressed below.

      Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

      1.    The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
            (based solely upon our review of a good standing certificate from
            the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware dated January 6,
            2000) in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

      2.    The Shares proposed to be offered and sold by the Company under the
            Plan have been duly authorized for issuance and, subject to the
            Registration Statement becoming effective under the Act and to
            compliance with any applicable state securities laws and to the
            issuance of such Shares in accordance with the provisions of the
            Plan, the Shares will be, when so issued, legally issued, fully paid
            and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company.

Sonic Automotive, Inc.
January 31, 2000
Page 2


      The opinions expressed herein are limited to the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware and the Act.

      We hereby consent to the use of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein L.L.P.