Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Revenues and Other Activities Associated with Disposed Dealerships That Remain in Continued Operations (Detail)

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Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Revenues and Other Activities Associated with Disposed Dealerships That Remain in Continued Operations (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]    
Income (loss) from operations $ 252sah_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss $ (513)sah_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss
Gain (loss) on disposal (102)us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal 363us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal
Pre-tax income (loss) 150sah_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTax (150)sah_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTax
Total revenues   $ 72,449sah_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationRevenue