EXHIBIT 23.1


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Sonic Automotive, Inc.:

   
     We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Sonic Automotive,
Inc. on Form S-4 of (i) our report dated March 2, 1998 (March 24, 1998 as to
Notes 2, 8 and 9) on the consolidated financial statements of Sonic Automotive,
Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997; (ii) our report dated
February 20, 1998 on the combined financial statements of Clearwater
Dealerships and Affiliated Companies as of and for the year ended December 31,
1997; (iii) our report dated May 22, 1998 on the combined financial statements
of Hatfield Automotive Group as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997; (iv) our report dated
May 11, 1998 on the financial statements of Economy Cars, Inc. as of and for
the year ended December 31, 1997; (v) our report dated June 4, 1998 on the
financial statements of Casa Ford of Houston, Inc. as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1997; (vi) our report dated August 21, 1998 on the combined
financial statements of Higginbotham Automotive Group as of and for the year
ended December 31, 1997; (vii) our report dated August 7, 1997 on the financial
statements of Dyer & Dyer, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996; (viii) our report
dated August 7, 1997 (October 16, 1997 as to Note 1) on the combined financial
statements of Bowers Dealerships and Affiliated Companies as of December 31,
1995 and 1996 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31,
1996; (ix) our report dated August 7, 1997 (September 29, 1997 as to Note 1) on
the combined financial statements of Lake Norman Dodge, Inc. and Affiliated
Companies as of and for the year ended December 31, 1996; (x) our report dated
August 26, 1997 (October 15, 1997 as to Note 1) on the financial statements of
Ken Marks Ford, Inc. as of and for the year ended April 30, 1997 all appearing
in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
    

     We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
Prospectus.




/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
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November 2, 1998