Three "average" cars with a not-so-average engine

1. Lexus GS300

Some of you may know this, but the GS300 actually carries the same engine as the Toyota Supra. Crazy right? Before you get too excited, know that it's actually the naturally aspirated 2JZ engine only, not the crazy twin-turbocharged one we all love. Still, it's not like a 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder is anything to complain about. If you have enough money (or are mechanically skilled) you can even do a turbo conversion yourself. America even got the GS400 model which featured a 300 hp 1UZ V8 engine. Oh, if you're in Japan, don't forget the Toyota Aristo, which is basically a GS. Except it actually has a turbocharged 2JZ under the hood. Now that would make a great sleeper. 

2. Nissan Stagea

The Stagea is to the Nissan Skyline GT-R what the GS300 is to the Supra. Well, almost anyway. The GS300 is a large luxurious sedan, whereas the Stagea is a big wagon that's not really all that plush. Pop the bonnet open however and if it's the flagship Stagea, you'll find an RB26DETT in the engine bay. The similarities to  GT-R don't stop there because, as you may have guessed it, the Stagea is just a GT-R in wagon body. The lower versions do get an RB25DET but even then, it's basically a Skyline. 

3. Toyota Century

Unless you're a really big car enthusiast or JDM fan you probably won't have heard of the Century. It's by far one of the coolest things to come out of Japan. It looks classic and elegant even today, but there's something sinister and evil about it. It's the perfect mafia-boss vehicle, the ultimate evil henchman ride. It's also the only front-engined rear-wheel drive car to have a V12 engine, ever. That makes it super cool in our book.