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Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
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12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2013
Note
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2013
Assumed Notes [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Common Class A [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Common Class A [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
2012 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
2011 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum [Member]
2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member]
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May 09, 2013
5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member]
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Jul. 02, 2012
5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member]
Common Class A [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 [Member]
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Jul. 02, 2012
7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
2011 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
2011 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
2011 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
Maximum [Member]
2011 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
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Mar. 12, 2010
9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 [Member]
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Jun. 30, 2013
9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
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Jul. 02, 2012
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Mortgage Notes [Member]
Property
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Assets [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Required Ratio [Member]
Maximum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Required Ratio [Member]
Minimum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
5.0% Convertible Senior Note due 2029 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2012
5.0% Convertible Senior Note due 2029 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
5.0% Convertible Senior Note due 2029 [Member]
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Sep. 23, 2009
5.0% Convertible Senior Note due 2029 [Member]
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| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maturity date of 2011 revolving credit facility and floor plan facility | Aug. 15, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increased borrowing capacity | $ 225,000,000 | $ 175,000,000 | $ 605,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowing base | 158,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit outstanding amount | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9.0% convertible notes | 748,373,000 | 629,385,000 | 7,600,000 | 32,000,000 | 6,176,000 | 300,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 210,000,000 | 210,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowing availability amount | 126,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase in credit facility borrowing capacity | 175,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of credit facility increase, percentage | 15.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes maturity date | May 15, 2023 | Jul. 15, 2022 | Mar. 15, 2018 | Oct. 01, 2029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on notes | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.35% | 5.00% | 7.00% | 7.00% | 9.00% | 9.00% | 9.00% | 9.00% | 5.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of cash to repurchase 9.0% notes | 237,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of notes | 28,200,000 | 19,900,000 | 900,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incremental interest expense | 55,485,000 | 60,090,000 | 66,857,000 | 800,000 | 1,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unsecured senior subordinated obligations, description | 9.0% Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount | 300,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 172,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes issued at a price of principal amount | 100.00% | 99.11% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes issued yield maturity, percentage | 7.125% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, shares issued | 61,584,248 | 61,352,134 | 4,100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of first required payment | Jan. 15, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payable description | Semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year | Semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount | 35.00% | 35.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes redemption price percentage of the par value | 105.00% | 107.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes redemption price percentage of the par value due to change of control | 101.00% | 101.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument maximum allowed dividends per share | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding principal amount of the 7.0% notes | 25.00% | 25.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indebtedness with outstanding balance | 50,000,000 | 35,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes redemption price percentage of the principal amount | 100.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchased aggregate principal amount in convertible notes | 17,400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit related to extinguishment | 6,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of notes payable | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable due date | October 2015 and August 2016 | Between 2014 and 2033 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premium recorded on notes payable | 7,300,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remaining unamortized premium balance | 400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt weighted average interest rate on note | 4.09% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage financing aggregate | 237,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage financing related to dealership properties | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBTDAR to rent ratio | 3.59 | 1.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of swap positions | 16,300,000 | 34,300,000 | 11,600,000 | 12,100,000 | 8,400,000 | 22,200,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of swap positions | 3,700,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and charges related to Cash flow swaps not designated as hedges | (900,000) | (700,000) | 800,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incremental interest expense | 11,800,000 | 13,400,000 | 17,700,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net expense expected to be reclassified | $ 7,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||