=============================================================================== /------------------------------/ / OMB APPROVAL / /------------------------------/ / OMB Number: 3235-0287 / / Expires: December 31, 2001 / / Estimated average burden / / hours per response...... 0.5 / /------------------------------/ +--------+ | FORM 4 | UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION +--------+ WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 [_] Check this box if no longer subject STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities obligations may Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the continue. See Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Instruction 1(b). Section 30(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Print or Type Responses) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name and Address of Reporting Person* Iuppenlatz Mark J. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Last) (First) (Middle) C/O Sonic Automotive, Inc. 6415 Idlewild Rd., Suite 109 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Street) Charlotte NC 28212 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (City) (State) (Zip) 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol Sonic Automotive, Inc. ("SAH") ----------------------------------- 3. I.R.S. Identification Number of Reporting Person, if an entity (voluntary) -------------- 4. Statement for Month/Year 10/00 --------------------------------------------------- 5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Year) --------------------------------- 6. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) ___ Director X Officer ___ 10% Owner ___ Other --- (give title below) (specify below) Vice President - Corp. Development ---------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) X Form filed by One Reporting Person --- ____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person Table I--Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned

Table II--Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)

Table II--Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)

Explanation of Responses: ** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a). Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure. Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number. /s/ Mark J. Iuppenlatz 11/17/00 ------------------------------- ----------------- **Signature of Reporting Person Date

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC 4