Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Long-Term Debt (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.8
Long-Term Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Agreement
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
Agreement
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Receive Rate     one-month LIBOR    
Premium associated with notes $ 500,000   $ 500,000   $ 700,000
Incremental interest expense 2,900,000 2,500,000 5,800,000 6,900,000  
One-month LIBOR rate 0.195%   0.195%    
Notional forward 3   3    
Duration of Interest rate cash flow swap agreements     swap agreements become effective in July 2015, July 2016 and July 2017, respectively, and terminate in July 2016, July 2017 and June 2018, respectively.    
Net expense expected to be reclassified 7,400,000   7,400,000    
Outstanding principal amount of the 7.0% Notes     25.00%    
Remaining unamortized premium balance 500,000   500,000   700,000
Loss on Extinguishment of Notes     (28,235,000) (2,578,000)  
Incremental Interest expense 14,390,000 13,835,000 28,749,000 30,244,000  
Swap agreement effective date     Jul. 01, 2015    
Cash Flow Swap 13 [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Receive Rate     one-month LIBOR    
Interest rate cash flow swap agreements 200,000,000   200,000,000    
Interest rate cash flow swap agreements maturing date     Jul. 01, 2016    
Cash Flow Swap 14 [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Receive Rate     one-month LIBOR    
Interest rate cash flow swap agreements 50,000,000   50,000,000    
Interest rate cash flow swap agreements maturing date     Jul. 01, 2017    
Swap agreement effective date     Jul. 01, 2016    
Cash Flow Swap 15 [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Receive Rate     one-month LIBOR    
Interest rate cash flow swap agreements 250,000,000   250,000,000    
Interest rate cash flow swap agreements maturing date     Jun. 30, 2018    
Swap agreement effective date     Jul. 03, 2017    
9.0% Senior Subordinate Notes due 2018 [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 9.00%   9.00%    
Discount associated with notes         1,100,000
Unsecured senior subordinated obligations, description     9.0% Notes    
Loss on Extinguishment of Notes     28,200,000    
Repayment Of Cash to Repurchase 9.0% Notes     237,200,000    
Incremental Interest expense     800,000    
7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 7.00%   7.00%    
Discount associated with notes 1,700,000   1,700,000   1,700,000
5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 5.00%   5.00%    
Notes Issued at a Price of principal Amount     100.00%    
Notes maturity date     May 15, 2023    
Principal amount 300,000,000   300,000,000    
Interest payable description     semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year    
Notes redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount     35.00%    
Notes redemption price percentage of the principal amount     100.00%    
Notes redemption price percentage of the par value     105.00%    
Notes redemption price percentage of the par value due to change of control     101.00%    
Debt instrument maximum allowed dividends per share     $ 0.10    
Outstanding principal amount of the 7.0% Notes     25.00%    
Indebtedness with outstanding balance     50,000,000    
Restrictive Covenants Under 2011 Credit facilities and 7 % Notes with 5% Notes     Specifically, the indenture governing Sonic’s 5.0% Notes limits Sonic’s ability to pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock in excess of $0.10 per share. Sonic may only pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock if Sonic complies with the terms of the indenture governing the 5.0% Notes    
Debt Default Description under 5% and 7% Notes     Sonic’s obligations under the 5.0% Notes may be accelerated by the holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the 5.0% Notes then outstanding if certain events of default occur, including: (1) defaults in the payment of principal or interest when due; (2) defaults in the performance, or breach, of Sonic’s covenants under the 5.0% Notes; and (3) certain defaults under other agreements under which Sonic or its subsidiaries have outstanding indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million.    
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 7.00%   7.00%    
Notes maturity date     Jul. 15, 2022    
Interest payable description     Semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year    
Notes redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount     35.00%    
Notes redemption price percentage of the principal amount     100.00%    
Notes redemption price percentage of the par value     107.00%    
Notes redemption price percentage of the par value due to change of control     101.00%    
Debt instrument maximum allowed dividends per share     $ 0.10    
Indebtedness with outstanding balance     35,000,000    
Restrictive Covenants Under 2011 Credit facilities and 7 % Notes with 5% Notes     Specifically, the indenture governing Sonic’s 7.0% Notes limits Sonic’s ability to pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock in excess of $0.10 per share. Sonic may only pay quarterly cash dividends on Sonic’s Class A and B common stock if Sonic complies with the terms of the indenture governing the 7.0% Notes.    
Debt Default Description under 5% and 7% Notes     Sonic’s obligations under the 7.0% Notes may be accelerated by the holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the 7.0% Notes then outstanding if certain events of default occur, including: (1) defaults in the payment of principal or interest when due; (2) defaults in the performance, or breach, of Sonic’s covenants under the 7.0% Notes; and (3) certain defaults under other agreements under which Sonic or its subsidiaries have outstanding indebtedness in excess of $35.0 million.    
Mortgage Notes Payable [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Discount associated with notes 600,000   600,000   700,000
Mortgage Notes [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Debt weighted average interest rate on note 4.10%   4.10%    
Mortgage financing aggregate 220,900,000   220,900,000    
Mortgage financing related to dealership properties     23    
Notes payable due date     between August 2014 and March 2031    
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Fair value of swap positions 20,700,000   20,700,000   34,300,000
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member] | Other accrued liabilities [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Fair value of swap positions 11,900,000   11,900,000   12,100,000
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member] | Other long-term liabilities [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Fair value of swap positions 12,800,000   12,800,000   22,200,000
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Fair value of swap positions included in other assets 4,000,000   4,000,000    
Maximum [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 10.52%   10.52%    
Maximum [Member] | Mortgage Loan at Fix Interest Rate [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 7.03%   7.03%    
Maximum [Member] | Mortgage Loan at Variable Interest Rate [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
One-month LIBOR rate 3.50%   3.50%    
Minimum [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 9.52%   9.52%    
Minimum [Member] | Mortgage Loan at Fix Interest Rate [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 3.51%   3.51%    
Minimum [Member] | Mortgage Loan at Variable Interest Rate [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
One-month LIBOR rate 1.25%   1.25%    
Weighted Average [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest on notes 10.19%   10.19%    
2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Interest rate 2.00%   2.00%   2.25%
2011 Credit facility, Amendment, Number of Common Stock Pledged As Collateral, Reductions 5,000,000   5,000,000    
Increased Borrowing Capacity 225,000,000   225,000,000    
Borrowing Base 139,300,000   139,300,000    
Letters of credit outstanding amount 32,300,000   32,300,000    
Borrowing Availability Amount 107,000,000   107,000,000    
2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Increased Borrowing Capacity 175,000,000   175,000,000    
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Maturity date of 2011 Revolving credit facility and Floor plan facility     Aug. 15, 2016    
Credit facilities amendment date     Mar. 14, 2013    
2011 Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
EBTDAR to rent ratio 3.36   3.36    
2011 Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Required ratio [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
EBTDAR to rent ratio 1.50   1.50    
2011 Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
EBTDAR to rent ratio 1.00   1.00    
2011 Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Required ratio [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
EBTDAR to rent ratio 1.00   1.00    
Common Class A [Member]
         
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]          
Estimated fair value of common stock issued $ 615,000   $ 615,000   $ 614,000
Estimated fair value of common stock issued per share $ 0.01   $ 0.01   $ 0.01