Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.8
Document and Entity Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Oct. 30, 2013
Common Class A [Member]
Oct. 30, 2013
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-Q    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2013    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2013    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3    
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   40,660,465 12,029,375