Sonic Automotive, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Cover
- Document and Entity Information
Financial Statements
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounting Policies
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
Notes Tables
Notes Details

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value (Detail)

v2.4.1.9

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value (Detail) (Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	$ 29,576	$ 27,552
Cash flow swaps designated as hedges		618
Total assets	29,576	28,170
Liabilities:
Cash flow swaps designated as hedges	11,122	10,251
Cash flow swaps not designated as hedges	1,388	1,469
Deferred compensation plan	16,527	15,863
Total liabilities	$ 29,037	$ 27,583

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts which could be received based on the terms of the insurance contract upon surrendering life policies owned by the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

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-Topic 210

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-Section 45

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- Definition

Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable beyond one year (or the operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all interest rate derivative assets designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all interest rate derivative liabilities designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all derivative liabilities not designated as hedging instruments.

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- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

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