Sonic Automotive, Inc.
                          [letterhead appears here]
                        SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. ANNOUNCES
                     ACQUISITION OF CLEARWATER DEALERSHIPS



Charlotte, NC, January 6, 1998 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH) announced
today that it has agreed to acquire Clearwater Toyota, Clearwater Mitsubishi and
Clearwater Collision Center in Clearwater, Florida ("Clearwater Dealerships").

The transaction is valued at approximately $17,590,000 including $1,750,000
contingent future earnings of the dealerships. Of this purchase price,
$3,960,000 will be payable in convertible preferred stock of Sonic Automotive,
Inc. The remainder of the purchase price is payable in cash. Closing is expected
in the first quarter of 1998.

"The acquisition of the Clearwater dealerships represents continued execution of
our strategy of building market share in selected markets. These acquisitions
also increase our brand diversity" stated O. Bruton Smith, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Sonic Automotive, Inc. Mr. Smith further stated that
economies of scale and operating efficiencies will be gained by these additional
acquisitions in the Clearwater market. Sonic Automotive, Inc. currently owns and
operates Ken Marks Ford in Clearwater.

Mr. Scott Fink, one of the owners of the Clearwater dealerships, will continue
as General Manager. Under Mr. Fink's leadership, these dealerships generated
revenues of approximately $113 million in 1996 and expect 1997 annual revenues
to approximate $123 million.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. is one of the leading automotive retailers in the United
States, with operations in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia and Tennessee.

Contact:  Tammy Russ, Investor Relations Manager of Sonic Automotive, Inc.
            (704) 532-3390.
          Theodore Wright, Chief Financial Officer of Sonic Automotive, Inc.
            (704) 532-3347.