[matvore]

  > I stick with emacs because of the modal and recursive minibuffer(s) (ie. command-line(s)). What vim setting do I change to be able to use normal mode down there?

Not a setting. Just press Ctrl+F when your cursor is in the command line. After that, and until you finish entering the command, you will be able to use Esc to go into normal mode again.

[sundarurfriend]

I "discovered" that feature by accidentally pressing q: instead of :q in the editor. Never knew about the Ctrl-F option, thank you!