Exhibit 99.4

            UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                    (In Thousands except per share amounts)



                                                                                                

                                                                  Historical
                                                      --------------------------------
                                                           Sonic           Clearwater      Pro Forma       Pro Forma for
                                                      Automotive, Inc.     Dealerships     Adjustments     the Acquisition
                                                      -----------------   ------------    -------------    ----------------
REVENUES:
  Vehicle Sales                                     $   467,858            $ 108,812        $     -        $  576,670
  Parts, service and collision repair                    57,537               10,500              -            68,037
  Finance and insurance                                  10,606                2,587              94 (9)       13,287
                                                    --------------         ------------      -----------   ------------
       Total revenues                                   536,001              121,899              94          657,994
COST OF SALES                                           471,253              105,786              -           577,039
                                                    --------------         ------------      -----------   ------------  
GROSS PROFIT                                             64,748              16,113               94           80,955
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES             48,520              12,226              864 (1)       60,871       
                                                                                                (594)(2)
                                                                                                (145)(3)

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION                             1,322                 390             (143)(1)        1,762
                                                                                                (133)(4)
                                                                                                 326 (5)
                                                    --------------         ------------      -----------   ------------  
OPERATING INCOME                                         14,906                3,497             (81)          18,322
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE:
  Interest expense, floor plan                            8,007                  779             (83)(6)        8,703
  Interest expense, other                                 1,199                  721            (557)(1)        2,306
                                                                                                (174)(7)
                                                                                               1,117 (8)
  Gain on sale of marketable equity securities              298                    -               -              298
  Other income                                                -                  194               -              194
                                                    --------------         ------------      -----------   ------------           
    Total other expense                                   8,908                1,306             303           10,517
                                                    --------------         ------------      -----------   ------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST         5,998                2,191            (384)           7,805
INCOME TAX PROVISION                                      2,249                    -             845 (10)      2,946
                                                                                                (148)(11)
                                                    --------------         ------------      -----------   ------------ 
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST                           3,749                2,191          (1,081)          4,859
MINORITY INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARY                  47                    -               -              47
                                                    --------------         ------------      -----------   ------------
NET INCOME                                            $   3,702              $ 2,191         $ (1,081)       $ 4,812
                                                    ==============         ============      ===========   ============

BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE                            $    0.53                                              $  0.69
                                                    ==============                                         ============

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING                       6,949                                                6,949
                                                    ==============                                         ============


DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE                          $    0.53                                              $  0.67
                                                    ==============                                         ============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING                       6,949                                                7,204
                                                    ==============                                         ============




                       See notes to pro forma statements




                                       5






        NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

ADJUSTMENT
- ----------


   (1)    Reflects the Company's estimate of the increase in rent expense
          related to lease agreements entered into with the seller of the
          Clearwater Dealerships for the dealerships' real property that will
          not be acquired by the Company, and decreases in depreciation expense
          (based on useful lives ranging from 31.5 to 39 years) and interest
          expense related to mortgage indebtedness encumbering such property.
          The related mortgage indebtedness was approximately $5.90 million with
          interest charged at rates ranging from 9.0% to 9.5% annually.

   (2)    The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses reflects
          the elimination of salaries paid to the owners of the Clearwater
          Dealerships who will no longer be involved in the operation of the
          dealerships as a direct result of the acquisition of the Clearwater
          Dealerships.

   (3)    Reflects the net decrease in selling, general and administrative
          expenses related to the net reduction in salaries and fringe benefits
          of owners and employees of the Clearwater Dealerships who will become
          employees of the Company, consistent with reduced salaries pursuant to
          certain employees' employment agreements with the Company.

   (4)    Reflects the elimination of amortization expense related to goodwill
          that arose in the acquisition of the Clearwater Dealerships by the
          previous owner, assuming that the acquisition giving rise to goodwill
          was consummated on January 1, 1997.

   (5)    Reflects the amortization over an amortization period of 40 years of
          approximately $13.03 million in goodwill resulting from the
          acquisition of the Clearwater Dealerships which was assumed to have
          occurred on January 1, 1997. Subject to the Agreement, the Company
          will be required to make an additional payment, not to exceed $1.75
          million, equal to 50% of the pre-tax earnings of the Clearwater
          Dealerships for fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. Goodwill was
          calculated based on a $1.66 million earnout payment based on the pro
          forma results of operations for 1997 and the earnings to date for 1998
          of the Clearwater Dealerships. The amount of the earnout payment and
          the corresponding goodwill actually recorded may be higher or lower
          than the amount estimated here, depending on the actual fiscal year
          1998 pre-tax earnings of the Clearwater Dealerships.

   (6)    Reflects the decrease in floor plan interest expense resulting from
          the refinancing of the floor plan notes payable arrangements of the
          Clearwater Dealerships to the Company's corporate contractual master
          floor plan agreement with Ford Motor Credit Company, which requires
          placement of acquired dealerships floor plan financing with Ford Motor
          Credit Company. The average interest rate under the master agreement
          is approximately 7.6% compared to the 8.5% interest rate for the
          Clearwater Dealerships.

   (7)    Reflects the decrease in other interest expense resulting from the
          Company not assuming the Clearwater Dealerships' notes payable to
          affiliates amounting to $500,000 at an interest rate of 10.0% and
          other long-term obligations amounting to $1.31 million at interest
          rates ranging from 9.0% to 10.0%.

   (8)    Reflects the increase in interest expense associated with borrowings
          amounting to $13.15 million at an interest rate of 8.5% made under the
          Company's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Ford Motor Credit
          Company to provide the funds necessary for the acquisition of the
          Clearwater Dealerships.

                                       6


        NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

ADJUSTMENT
- ----------

   (9)       Reflects finance and insurance revenues generated by the Clearwater
          Dealerships that were paid directly to the dealership owners or
          wholly-owned management companies and excluded from revenue in the
          historical statements of the Clearwater Dealerships.

  (10)    The Clearwater Dealerships were not subject to federal and state
          income taxes because they were organized as S corporations during the
          period indicated. This adjustment reflects an increase in the federal
          and state income tax provision as if the Clearwater Dealerships had
          been taxable at the combined statutory income tax rate of 38.6%. Upon
          completion of the Acquisition, this entity that has historically not
          been subject to corporate income tax will thereafter be subject to
          federal and state income tax as a C corporation.

  (11)    Reflects the net decrease in the provision for income taxes resulting
          from adjustments (1) through (9) above, computed using an effective
          income tax rate of 38.6%.

                                        7



                                                                  

                        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
                                DECEMBER 31, 1997
                    (In Thousands except per share amounts)


                                                                                                  

                                                                  Historical
                                                      --------------------------------
                                                           Sonic           Clearwater      Pro Forma         Pro Forma for
                                                      Automotive, Inc.     Dealerships     Adjustments       the Acquisition
                                                      -----------------   ------------    -------------    ----------------
ASSETS 
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                         $    18,304            $   2,065        $     -        $   20,369
  Marketable Equity Securities                              270                    -              -               270
  Receivables                                            19,784                1,138              -            20,922
  Inventories                                           156,514                9,215              -           165,729
  Deferred income taxes                                     405                    -              -               405
  Due from affiliates                                     1,047                    -              -             1,047
  Other current assets                                    1,048                  282              -             1,330
                                                   ---------------        -----------      ------------     ------------
    Total current assets                                197,372               12,700              -           210,072
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET                              19,081                7,829         (7,466)(2)        19,444
GOODWILL, NET                                            74,362                1,736         13,025 (1)        87,387
                                                                                             (1,736)(3)       
OTHER ASSETS                                                635                    -              -               635
                                                   ---------------        -----------      ------------     ------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                        $   291,450            $  22,265        $ 3,823         $ 317,538
                                                   ===============        ===========      ============     ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
   Notes payable - floor plan                       $   133,236            $   8,321       $      -         $ 141,557
   Trade accounts payable                                 6,612                  789              -             7,401
   Accrued interest                                       1,071                    -              -             1,071
   Other accrued liabilities                             10,748                  466              -            11,214
   Payable to affiliates                                    445                  500          (500)(4)            445
   Current maturities of long term debt                     584                1,090           (1,090)(2)(6)      584 
                                                   ---------------        -----------      ------------     ------------
     Total current liabilities                          152,696               11,166           (1,590)        162,272
LONG-TERM DEBT                                           38,640                6,117           (6,117)(2)(6)   51,786 
                                                                                               13,146 (5)   
PAYABLE TO COMPANY'S CHAIRMAN                             5,500                    -                -           5,500
PAYABLE TO AFFILIATES                                     4,394                    -                -           4,394
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                     1,079                    -                -           1,079
INCOME TAX PAYABLE                                        4,776                    -                -           4,776
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
   Preferred stock                                            -                    -            3,366 (1)       3,366
   Class A Common Stock                                      50                    -                -              50
   Class B Common Stock                                      63                    -                -              63
   Common Stock of Acquired Entity                            -                1,202           (1,202)(1)           -
   Paid in capital                                       68,045                1,210           (1,210)(1)      68,045
   Retained earnings                                     16,186                2,570           (2,570)(1)      16,186
   Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities           21                    -                -              21
                                                   ---------------        -----------      ------------     ------------
      Total stockholders' equity                         84,365                4,982           (1,616)         87,731
                                                   ---------------        -----------      ------------     ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY         $    291,450            $  22,265        $   3,823       $ 317,538
                                                   ===============        ===========      ============     ============





                       See notes to pro forma statements



                                       8








                  NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
                              DECEMBER 31, 1997


ADJUSTMENT
- ----------

   (1)    Reflects the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price of
          the Clearwater Dealerships based on the estimated fair value of the
          net assets acquired. Because the carrying amount of the net assets
          acquired, which primarily consist of accounts receivable, inventory,
          equipment, and floor plan indebtedness, approximates their fair value,
          management believes the application of purchase accounting will not
          result in an adjustment to the carrying amount of those net assets.
          The amount of goodwill and corresponding amortization expense actually
          recorded may ultimately be different from the amounts estimated here,
          depending upon the actual fair value of tangible net assets acquired
          at closing, changes in the estimated fair value of the shares of
          preferred stock issued as determined by an independent appraisal which
          has not yet been finalized, as well as the actual earnout payment made
          by the Company (see note 7). The estimated purchase price allocation
          consists of the following:

             Estimated total consideration:
                Cash                                              $  11,487,000
                Preferred stock                                       3,366,000
                Earnout payment (7)                                   1,659,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                     16,512,000
                Less estimated fair value of tangible 
                 net assets acquired                                  3,487,000
                                                                  --------------
                Excess of purchase price over fair value
                 of net tangible assets acquired                  $  13,025,000
                                                                  ==============


   (2)    Reflects the real property of the Clearwater Dealerships, which is not
          being acquired in the Acquisition and the related mortgage
          indebtedness in the amount of $5.90 million.

   (3)    Reflects the elimination of goodwill that arose in the acquisition of
          the Clearwater Dealerships by the previous owner.

   (4)    Reflects the Payable to a Clearwater Dealership stockholder that
          will not be assumed by the Company.

   (5)    Reflects borrowings amounting to $13.15 million made under the
          Company's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Ford Motor Credit
          Company to provide a portion of the funds necessary for the
          acquisition of the Clearwater Dealerships.

   (6)    Reflects the capital loans of the Clearwater Dealerships amounting to
          $1.31 million which will not be assumed by the Company.

   (7)    Subject to the Agreement, the Company will be required to make an
          additional payment, not to exceed $1.75 million, equal to 50% of the
          pre-tax earnings of the Clearwater Dealerships for fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1998. The amount of the earnout payment recorded was
          estimated based on the pro forma results of operations for 1997 and
          the earnings to date for 1998 of the Clearwater Dealerships. The
          amount of the earnout payment and the corresponding goodwill actually
          recorded may be higher or lower than the amount estimated here,
          depending on the actual fiscal year 1998 pre-tax earnings of the
          Clearwater Dealerships.