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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated May 11, 1998 with respect to the financial
statements of Sunbelt Automotive Group, Inc., the use of our report dated
January 30, 1998 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Boomershine Automotive Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries, the use of our report dated
March 23, 1998 with respect to the financial statements of Jay Automotive Group,
Inc., the use of our report dated February 13, 1998 with respect to the
financial statements of Grindstaff, Inc., the use of our report dated March 26,
1998 with respect to the financial statements of Day's Chevrolet, Inc., and the
use of our report dated January 26, 1998 with respect to the financial
statements of Robertson Oldsmobile-Cadillac, Inc., in Amendment No. 4 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-51451) and related Prospectus of
Sunbelt Automotive Group, Inc. for the Registration of 5,500,000 shares of its
common stock.
    
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
   
August 7, 1998