Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan - Components of Inventories (Detail)

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Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan - Components of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]    
New vehicles $ 924,818sah_InventoryNewVehicles $ 938,263sah_InventoryNewVehicles
Used vehicles 214,015sah_InventoryUsedVehicles 171,909sah_InventoryUsedVehicles
Service loaners 112,520sah_InventoryServiceLoaners 108,136sah_InventoryServiceLoaners
Parts, accessories and other 60,349us-gaap_OtherInventoriesSpareParts 63,830us-gaap_OtherInventoriesSpareParts
Net inventories $ 1,311,702us-gaap_InventoryNet $ 1,282,138us-gaap_InventoryNet