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

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Segment Information - Summary of Reportable Operating Segment (Detail)

Segment Information - Summary of Reportable Operating Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total consolidated revenues	$ 2,351,828us-gaap_Revenues	$ 2,355,604us-gaap_Revenues	$ 2,353,280us-gaap_Revenues	$ 2,136,387us-gaap_Revenues	$ 2,315,369us-gaap_Revenues	$ 2,242,197us-gaap_Revenues	$ 2,202,436us-gaap_Revenues	$ 2,083,166us-gaap_Revenues	$ 9,197,099us-gaap_Revenues	$ 8,843,168us-gaap_Revenues	$ 8,365,468us-gaap_Revenues
Total segment income									214,820sah_SegmentReportingIncomeLoss	212,649sah_SegmentReportingIncomeLoss	220,948sah_SegmentReportingIncomeLoss
Interest expense, other, net									(53,190)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther	(55,485)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther	(60,090)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther
Other income (expense), net									97us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	(28,143)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	(19,625)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes									161,727	129,021	141,233
Total floorplan interest expense									18,793sah_FloorPlanInterestExpense	21,954sah_FloorPlanInterestExpense	19,454sah_FloorPlanInterestExpense
Total depreciation and amortization									58,260us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	54,007us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	45,285us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Total capital expenditures									146,432	157,617	95,376
Total assets	3,183,135us-gaap_Assets				3,051,170us-gaap_Assets				3,183,135us-gaap_Assets	3,051,170us-gaap_Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	4,182				3,016				4,182	3,016	3,371	1,913
Goodwill, Net	475,929us-gaap_Goodwill				476,315us-gaap_Goodwill				475,929us-gaap_Goodwill	476,315us-gaap_Goodwill	454,224us-gaap_Goodwill
Other Intangible Assets, net	83,720				87,866				83,720	87,866
Other Corporate and other assets	735,227us-gaap_OtherAssets				600,870us-gaap_OtherAssets				735,227us-gaap_OtherAssets	600,870us-gaap_OtherAssets
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total consolidated revenues									9,191,661	8,843,168	8,365,468
Total segment income									230,733	218,139	221,721
Total floorplan interest expense									18,727	21,954	19,454
Total depreciation and amortization									58,001	54,007	45,285
Total capital expenditures									117,129	151,947	95,376
Total assets	1,841,962				1,877,433				1,841,962	1,877,433
Echo Park [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total consolidated revenues									5,438
Total segment income									(15,913)	(5,490)	(773)
Total floorplan interest expense									66
Total depreciation and amortization									259
Total capital expenditures									29,303	5,670
Total assets	$ 42,115				$ 5,670				$ 42,115	$ 5,670