Sonic Automotive, Inc.   Exhibit 12.1

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     Nine Months Ended September 30,

     (dollars in thousands)
     1998

   1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

     2002

     2003

Fixed charges:

                                                    

Interest expense, other

   $ 9,093    $ 21,041    $ 40,761    $ 34,595    $ 38,634      $ 28,136        30,066

Rent expense (interest factor)

     2,543      6,909      15,522      18,717      22,244        16,097        18,678
    

  

  

  

  

    

    

Total fixed charges

     11,636      27,950      56,283      53,312      60,878        44,233        48,744

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cummulative effect of change in accounting principle

     22,982      65,068      114,192      131,095      176,986        140,120        100,460
    

  

  

  

  

    

    

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cummulative effect of change in accounting principle & fixed charges

   $ 34,618    $ 93,018    $ 170,475    $ 184,407    $ 237,864      $ 184,353      $ 149,204
    

  

  

  

  

    

    

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     3.0x      3.3x      3.0x      3.5x      3.9x        4.2x        3.1x