INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Sonic Automotive, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated March 2, 1998 (March 24,
1998 as to Notes 2 and 8), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sonic
Automotive, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1997, and our reports dated May
11, 1998, May 22, 1998, and June 4, 1998, for Economy Cars, Inc., Hatfield
Automotive Group, and Casa Ford of Houston, Inc., respectively, appearing in the
Form 8-K of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated July 9, 1998.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
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DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina

October 8, 1998