Sonic Automotive, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Cover
- Document and Entity Information
Financial Statements
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounting Policies
- Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
Notes Tables
Notes Details

Fair Value Measurements - Assets or Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value (Detail)

v2.4.1.9

Fair Value Measurements - Assets or Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value (Detail) (Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	$ 27,552	$ 25,301
Cash flow swaps designated as hedges	618	3,707
Total assets	28,170	29,008
Liabilities:
Cash flow swaps designated as hedges	10,251	17,995
Cash flow swaps not designated as hedges	1,469	2,046
Deferred compensation plan	15,863	14,842
Total liabilities	$ 27,583	$ 34,883

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts which could be received based on the terms of the insurance contract upon surrendering life policies owned by the entity.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

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-Number 210

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-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

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Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable beyond one year (or the operating cycle, if longer).

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all derivative liabilities not designated as hedging instruments.

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Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

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