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 Stock Options Related to Stock Plans (Detail)

v3.8.0.1

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Stock Options Related to Stock Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding Beginning Balance	439,000
Options Outstanding Exercised	(25,000)
Options Outstanding Forfeited	(186,000)
Options Outstanding Ending Balance	228,000	439,000
Options Outstanding Exercisable	228,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Beginning Balance	$ 13.42
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	1.81
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited	29.14
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Ending Balance	1.81	$ 13.42
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 1.81
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	1 year 3 months 18 days	1 year 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	1 year 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Beginning Balance	$ 3,787	$ 5,327
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	3,787
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 425	$ 250	$ 2,511
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	28.04
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	30.07
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	1.81
Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited	30.07
Exercise Price Per Share, Ending Balance	1.81	$ 30.07
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 1.81

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