Toyota's dirty little secret is that Japan doesn't really need Lexus. Toyota was already seen as a high-end brand in the company's native Japan. In fact, the flagship of the automaker's luxury offerings is a Japan-only model. We're talking about the second-gen Toyota Century.The Toyota Century is a long-running nameplate for the automaker, dating back to 1967, and remaining in production to this day. We're most interested in the 1997-2017 models powered by a 5.0-liter V12 engine with a claimed 276 horsepower.Toyota thought these cars were simply too classy to waste on the United States, so we never got a Lexus version. Well, they can't stop us from importing one, now that the 25-year rule is up for some of them. The Toyota Century Did Way More Than 276 Horsepower Cars & BidsJapan's "Gentleman's Agreement" had the nation's automakers agreeing to cap advertised horsepower at 276 hp during the 1990s and early 2000s. This means that, if you see a Japanese-market (JDM) car claiming 276 horsepower, it's probably more powerful, but the automaker is underselling the figure to keep things friendly with its fellow car companies.Unofficially, estimates put the Century's V12 at around 310 hp, with 30-something of those horses unadvertised to avoid getting locked into a horsepower war. This Was (Basically) Toyota's Only V12 Engine Cars & BidsThe V12 under the hood has the internal designation 1GZ-FE, the only one of its kind ever built by Toyota. Toyota also built a compressed natural gas version of the engine, the 1GZ-FNE, rated at 255 hp. The CNG version is more of a variant than a new engine, though. If Toyota wants to call the GZ its only V12 rather than "one of two," we'd back that up.The GZ uses electronic fuel injection controlled by two ECUs, one for each six-cylinder bank, allowing it to run on a single cylinder bank at a time should something go wrong.Upgrades during the model's production run included a six-speed "intelligent" automatic in 2005. Emissions standards led to the engine's torque rating falling to 355 lb-ft in 2010. The best version of this car would be something built between 2005 and 2009, after the introduction of the advanced transmission, but before the engine was detuned. Unfortunately, these models aren't past the 25-year mark yet, so they can't come into the US. The Century's Interior Was As High-Falutin' As The Powertrain Cars & Bids How did leather become the go-to upholstery option for elegant, high-end cars? It's sticky and scorching hot in the summer. Plus, the material makes that obnoxious squeaking sound whenever you adjust your position. That was Toyota's thinking in designing the interior of its most upscale model by offering a leather package as an upgrade while pushing the hand-crafted wool upholstery as a major selling point.Advertised as being softer than your most expensive sofa, the wool seating was intended to be whisper-quiet. Massage functions complemented these upscale seats, a fold-out leg rest for the passenger, privacy curtains, and real wood and aluminum trim throughout, making the Century feel less like a limo and more like a private clubhouse on wheels.As much fun as that 12-cylinder engine must be to drive, this was clearly intended to be a passenger experience, first and foremost, offering a first-class luxury ride with excellent sound insulation and rear controls for the premium audio system. The Toyota Century Is Legal In The US Now, And Surprisingly Affordable Cars & Bids For what you're getting out of the deal, an imported Toyota Century is priced very fairly, according to a quick search on JDM car sales sites. We were able to turn up the following listings, narrowing our search to 1997-2004 models. A 109,385-mile 2000 Century is selling for $17,113 A 34,431-mile 1999 Century is selling for $30,216 A 53,648-mile 2000 Century is selling for $25,616 A 34,183-mile 2001 Century is selling for $26,374 An 83,903-mile 2002 Century is selling for $23,503 We found seven listings total, with these being our favorites of the bunch. Note that there's no telling what will be available when you're ready to run your own search, but these listings will give you an idea of what to expect. The total costs include car and freight, meaning you're not spending any extra money to bring these cars to the US; this is the total sale price. The Toyota Century Is Reliable, But Maintenance Might Be A Hassle Cars & Bids Even the high-mileage listings look to be a sweet deal. These are Toyotas, after all, so 109,385 miles is just getting warmed up.You can bet it will have seen a lot of city miles, with plenty of short stop-and-go trips, picking up clients at airports and carting VIPs to hotels and nightclubs, but you can also be certain that nobody's been redlining this thing. A Toyota Century's previous driver was probably a professional chauffeur, and it was owned by a Fortune 500 company that wasn't putting off oil changes.On the other hand, reliable or not, we can just about guarantee that no mechanic in your local area has ever seen one of these engines before, so routine maintenance might be a pain in the butt.Regardless, this is a model that collectors haven't exactly caught wind of just yet, so the price is very nice. Your mechanic might not know what the heck they're looking at right away, but they've got the internet; they can figure it out. Toyota Century, Or A Lexus LS 600h L? LexusIf you're looking for a Japanese luxury car, and you're tired of the same old Acura and Lexus models, if you really want something that stands out, the Toyota Century is a super-cool ride. But is it a sensible choice? A 1997 model averages around 14 miles per gallon combined on a good day, with drivers typically reporting as low as 10 miles per gallon in the city. With gas prices topping $5 a gallon, that kind of mileage demands a major level of commitment to luxury.Meanwhile, a 2008 Lexus LS 600h L sedan, which we initially considered overpriced, now sells for a typical listing price of $13,740 and averages 21 miles per gallon combined. Your nearest Lexus dealer can maintain it, and the hybrid-assisted V8 delivers 389 hp. On the downside, the only transmission option is a CVT, but that's a small compromise to make for a car that delivers everything you could want from a Toyota Century except for the four extra cylinders and wool seats.The Lexus LS 600h should cost around $3,900 a year to refuel, according to FuelEconomy.gov. At half the fuel economy, you're spending twice as much on a Toyota Century, meaning you would be paying around $7,800 a year to make it your daily driver.If you're still thinking of buying a 12-cylinder Toyota Century, our advice would be to keep it as a second car. When you want to impress your friends, or you're attending a wedding or something, go ahead and wheel it out of the garage for an afternoon.