Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.3.0.15
Document and Entity Information (USD $)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Oct. 20, 2011
Common Class A
Oct. 20, 2011
Common Class B
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC      
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509      
Document Type 10-Q      
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag false      
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011      
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3      
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31      
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No      
Entity Voluntary Filers No      
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes      
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer      
Entity Public Float   $ 213,038,584    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding     40,660,039 12,029,375