Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Oct. 17, 2012
Common Class A
Oct. 17, 2012
Common Class B
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509    
Document Type 10-Q    
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2012    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2012    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   44,305,481 12,029,375