Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Results Associated with Dealerships Classified as Discontinued Operations (Detail)

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Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Results Associated with Dealerships Classified as Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]      
Income (loss) from operations $ (2,515)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss $ (978)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss $ (9,946)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss
Gain (loss) on disposal 199us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax (457)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax 10,265us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax
Lease exit accrual adjustments and charges 152sah_DiscontinuedOperationLeaseExitAccrualAdjustmentsAndCharges (2,582)sah_DiscontinuedOperationLeaseExitAccrualAdjustmentsAndCharges (4,293)sah_DiscontinuedOperationLeaseExitAccrualAdjustmentsAndCharges
Property impairment charges     (510)sah_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetsImpairmentCharges
Pre-tax income (loss) (2,164)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax (4,017)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax (4,484)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax
Total revenues     $ 182,884us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue