Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Jun. 30, 2014
Agreement
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Jul. 02, 2012
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Total debt |
$ 773,412,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
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$ 748,373,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
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Stated interest rate on debt agreement |
5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
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Notional Forward |
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2sah_NumberOfNewForwardStartingCashFlowSwapAgreements
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Description of interest rate cash flow swap agreements |
swap agreements become effective in July 2016 and July 2015, respectively, and terminate in July 2017.
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Incremental interest expense |
10,700,000sah_InterestExpenseNetCashFlowSwaps
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11,800,000sah_InterestExpenseNetCashFlowSwaps
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13,400,000sah_InterestExpenseNetCashFlowSwaps
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Net expense expected to be reclassified |
5,100,000us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet
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Cash Flow Swap 13 [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Interest rate Cash flow swap agreements |
25,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = sah_CashFlowSwapThirteenMember
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25,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = sah_CashFlowSwapThirteenMember
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Swap agreement effective date |
2016-07
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Swap agreement maturity date |
2017-07
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Cash Flow Swap 14 [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Interest rate Cash flow swap agreements |
100,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = sah_CashFlowSwapFourteenMember
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100,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = sah_CashFlowSwapFourteenMember
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Swap agreement effective date |
2015-07
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Swap agreement maturity date |
2017-07
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Common Class A [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Common stock, shares issued |
62,046,966us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
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61,584,248us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
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2014 Revolving Credit Facility [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Increased borrowing capacity |
225,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Increased borrowing capacity |
275,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Borrowing base |
194,800,000sah_RevolvingBorrowingBase / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Letters of credit outstanding amount |
29,200,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Total debt |
0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Borrowing availability amount |
165,600,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Allocation of credit facility increase, percentage |
20.00%sah_MaximumAllocableBorrowingCapacityIncreasePercentage / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022 [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Principal amount |
200,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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Stated interest rate on debt agreement |
7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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Notes maturity date |
Jul. 15, 2022
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Interest payable description |
semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year
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Notes redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount |
35.00%sah_DebtInstrumentPercentageOfMaximumRedemptionWithCashFromCommonStockOffering / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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Notes redemption price percentage of the par value |
107.00%sah_NotesRedemptionPricePercentageOfParValue / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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Notes redemption price percentage of the par value due to change of control |
101.00%sah_NotesRedemptionPricePercentageOfParValueDueToChangeOfControl / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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Debt instrument maximum allowed dividends per share |
$ 0.10sah_DebtInstrumentMaximumAllowedDividendsPerShare / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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Restrictive covenants under 2011 credit facilities and 7 % notes with 5% notes |
Specifically, the indenture governing Sonic’s 7.0% Notes limits Sonic’s ability to pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock in excess of $0.10 per share. Sonic may only pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock if Sonic complies with the terms of the indenture governing the 7.0%
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Outstanding principal amount of the 7.0% notes |
25.00%sah_DebtInstrumentPercentageOfOutstandingPrincipalAmountRedeemableUponEventOfDefault / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
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7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022 [Member] | Minimum [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Indebtedness with outstanding balance under other agreements |
35,000,000sah_DebtInstrumentOtherOutstandingIndebtednessInExcess / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_SevenPercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember
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Subordinated Notes [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Notes issued at a price of principal amount |
99.11%sah_NotesIssuedAtPriceOfPrincipalAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SeniorSubordinatedNotesMember
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Notes issued yield maturity, percentage |
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7.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SeniorSubordinatedNotesMember
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5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Principal amount |
300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Stated interest rate on debt agreement |
5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Notes issued at a price of principal amount |
100.00%sah_NotesIssuedAtPriceOfPrincipalAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Notes maturity date |
May 15, 2023
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Interest payable description |
semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year
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Notes redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount |
35.00%sah_DebtInstrumentPercentageOfMaximumRedemptionWithCashFromCommonStockOffering / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Notes redemption price percentage of the par value |
105.00%sah_NotesRedemptionPricePercentageOfParValue / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Notes redemption price percentage of the par value due to change of control |
101.00%sah_NotesRedemptionPricePercentageOfParValueDueToChangeOfControl / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Debt instrument maximum allowed dividends per share |
$ 0.10sah_DebtInstrumentMaximumAllowedDividendsPerShare / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Restrictive covenants under 2011 credit facilities and 7 % notes with 5% notes |
Specifically, the indenture governing Sonic’s 5.0% Notes limits Sonic’s ability to pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock in excess of $0.10 per share. Sonic may only pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock if Sonic complies with the terms of the indenture governing the 5.0% Notes
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Outstanding principal amount of the 7.0% notes |
25.00%sah_DebtInstrumentPercentageOfOutstandingPrincipalAmountRedeemableUponEventOfDefault / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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Notes redemption price percentage of the principal amount |
100.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
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5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member] | Minimum [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Indebtedness with outstanding balance under other agreements |
50,000,000sah_DebtInstrumentOtherOutstandingIndebtednessInExcess / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember
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5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member] | Common Class A [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Common stock, shares issued |
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4,100,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_FivePercentSeniorSubordinateNoteDueTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
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Assumed Notes [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Total debt |
4,400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_AssumedNotesMember
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Stated interest rate on debt agreement |
5.35%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_AssumedNotesMember
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Premium recorded on notes payable |
7,300,000sah_DebtInstrumentsFairValueDisclosurePremiumRecorded / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_AssumedNotesMember
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Premium associated with notes |
100,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_AssumedNotesMember
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Notes payable due date |
October 2015 and August 2016
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Mortgage Notes [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Total debt |
265,900,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_MortgageNotesMember
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Notes payable due date |
between 2015 and 2033
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Debt weighted average interest rate on note |
3.74%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_MortgageNotesMember
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Mortgage financing aggregate |
44,400,000us-gaap_SecuredDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_MortgageNotesMember
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Percentage of dealership properties related to mortgage financing |
30.00%sah_PercentageOfMortgageDealershipProperties / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_MortgageNotesMember
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Actual Ratio [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio |
3.56sah_MinimumEbtdarToRentRatio / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_ActualRatioMember
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Required Ratio [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio |
1.50sah_MinimumEbtdarToRentRatio / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_RequiredRatioMember
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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Fair value of swap positions |
11,100,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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16,300,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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Benefits and charges related to cash flow swaps not designated as hedges |
500,000sah_CashFlowSwapsNotDesignatedAsHedgeBenefitsAndCharges / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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900,000sah_CashFlowSwapsNotDesignatedAsHedgeBenefitsAndCharges / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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700,000sah_CashFlowSwapsNotDesignatedAsHedgeBenefitsAndCharges / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member] | Other Accrued Liabilities [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Fair value of swap positions |
8,200,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = sah_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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11,600,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = sah_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member] | Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Fair value of swap positions |
3,500,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = sah_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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8,400,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = sah_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member] | Other Assets [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Fair value of swap positions |
600,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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3,700,000us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesMember
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2011 Credit Facility [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Maturity date of revolving credit facility and floor plan facility |
Aug. 15, 2016
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2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Increased borrowing capacity |
175,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandElevenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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2011 New Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Increased borrowing capacity |
605,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandElevenNewUsedVehicleFloorPlanFacilityMember
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2014 Credit Facility [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Maturity date of revolving credit facility and floor plan facility |
Aug. 15, 2019
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2014 Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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EBTDAR to rent ratio |
1.00sah_EbtdarToRentRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember
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2014 Credit Facility [Member] | Actual Ratio [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio |
3.56sah_MinimumEbtdarToRentRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_ActualRatioMember
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2014 Credit Facility [Member] | Required Ratio [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio |
1.50sah_MinimumEbtdarToRentRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_RequiredRatioMember
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2014 Credit Facility [Member] | Required Ratio [Member] | Minimum [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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EBTDAR to rent ratio |
1.00sah_EbtdarToRentRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_RequiredRatioMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember
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2014 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Increased borrowing capacity |
800,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenUsedVehicleFloorPlanFacilityMember
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2014 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member] | 2014 Revolving Credit Facility [Member] |
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Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
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Increase in credit facility borrowing capacity |
$ 1,000,000,000sah_LineOfCreditFacilityCombinedIncreaseInBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenNewVehicleFloorPlanFacilityMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = sah_TwoThousandFourteenRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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