---

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Acquisition

14 October 1998

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Ron Craft Dealership Group

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 13 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc.
announced today that a has entered into definitive agreements to
acquire Ron Craft Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile and Ron Craft
Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep.  Both of these dealerships are located in Baytown,
Texas, a suburb east of Houston, Texas. These dealerships have estimated 1998
revenues of $100 million.
    These transactions are valued at approximately $12.5 million.  Convertible
Preferred Stock will be issued for approximately 25% of the purchase price,
and the remainder will be payable in cash.  Sonic Automotive will finance
these transactions with cash provided by its $75 million line of credit with
Ford Motor Credit.  Both acquisitions are expected to close in the fourth
quarter of 1998.
    These acquisitions will further diversify the Company's current operations
in Houston, Texas.  In this market, Sonic will now operate four dealerships
including Ron Craft Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile, Ron Craft
Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep, Casa Ford and Lone Star Ford.
    "These acquisitions continue Sonic's strategy of building market share in
selected markets. Sonic will be able to quickly realize economies of scale on
advertising and other costs," stated B. Scott Smith, Sonic's President and
Chief Operating Officer.
    Sonic remains confident in its ability to acquire profitable dealerships
using a disciplined approach.  The Company will continue to fund additional
acquisitions using company stock, cash from operations, and its aforementioned
line of credit that currently has $75 million in availability.
    O. Bruton Smith, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
stated, "We see continued acquisition opportunities at reasonable pricing.
Sonic's completion of its $125 million high yield financing has positioned the
Company to continue to acquire dealerships.  The Company has approximately $90
million in cash currently available for acquisitions which will allow Sonic to
continue to execute its acquisition strategy."
    Sonic Automotive, Inc. is one of the leading automotive retailers in the
United States, with operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina,
Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.  Upon completion of these
acquisitions, Sonic will operate 40 dealerships representing 23 different
brands and 14 collision repair centers.
    Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with
respect to anticipated revenue growth.  There are many factors which affect
management's views about future events and trends of the Company's business.
These factors involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results
or trends to differ materially from management's view, including without
limitation economic conditions, risks associated with acquisitions and the
risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.