Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
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 true    
Amendment Description Correction of errors in the classification of amounts between trade accounts payable and cash and cash equivalents.    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   40,660,039 12,029,375