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

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Options Related to Stock Plans (Detail)

v3.3.1.900

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Options Related to Stock Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding Beginning Balance	1,064,000
Options Outstanding Exercised	(325,000)
Options Outstanding Forfeited	(25,000)
Options Outstanding Ending Balance	714,000	1,064,000
Options Outstanding Exercisable	714,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Beginning Balance	$ 17.62
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	17.18
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited	24.83
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Ending Balance	17.56	$ 17.62
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 17.56
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	1 year 7 months 6 days	2 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	1 year 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Beginning Balance	$ 10,444
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending Balance	5,605	$ 10,444
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	5,605
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 2,511	$ 1,187	$ 1,657
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Per Share, Beginning Balance	$ 1.81
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	1.81
Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited	19.23
Exercise Price Per Share, Ending Balance	1.81	$ 1.81
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	1.81
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Per Share, Beginning Balance	25.05
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	23.94
Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited	30.07
Exercise Price Per Share, Ending Balance	30.07	$ 25.05
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 30.07

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