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Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
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3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mar. 31, 2014
Note
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Mar. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2013
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May 09, 2013
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Mar. 31, 2014
Assumed Notes [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
2011 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Maximum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Maximum [Member]
2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Minimum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
2011 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
2011 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
2011 Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
Maximum [Member]
2011 New Vehicle Floor Plan Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
7.0% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
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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Mar. 31, 2014
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
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Jul. 02, 2012
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
5.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Mortgage Notes [Member]
Property
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Mar. 31, 2014
Required Ratio [Member]
Maximum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Required Ratio [Member]
Minimum [Member]
2011 Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Assets [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Member]
Other Assets [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 | 147,100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit outstanding amount | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9.0% convertible notes | 785,050,000 | 748,373,000 | 6,800,000 | 29,200,000 | 200,000,000 | 200,000,000 | 300,000,000 | 300,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowing availability amount | 117,800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase in credit facility borrowing capacity | 175,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of credit facility increase, percentage | 15.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount | 300,000,000 | 200,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on notes | 5.00% | 5.35% | 7.00% | 7.00% | 5.00% | 5.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes maturity date | May 15, 2023 | Jul. 15, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes issued at a price of principal amount | 100.00% | 99.11% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes issued yield maturity, percentage | 7.125% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 107.00% | 105.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 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 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding principal amount of the 7.0% notes | 25.00% | 25.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indebtedness with outstanding balance | 35,000,000 | 50,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes redemption price percentage of the principal amount | 100.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 300,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt weighted average interest rate on note | 3.79% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage financing aggregate | 274,900,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage financing related to dealership properties | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBTDAR to rent ratio | 3.57 | 1.00 | 1.50 | 1.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of swap positions | 14,500,000 | 16,300,000 | 11,100,000 | 11,600,000 | 3,000,000 | 3,700,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of swap positions | 6,400,000 | 8,400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and charges related to cash flow swaps not designated as hedges | 100,000 | 200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incremental interest expense | 2,900,000 | 2,900,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net expense expected to be reclassified | $ 6,900,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||