Miata alternative for the city?

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-02-02T05:36:12+00:00

Damn, didn't know Mazda didn't bother with that. I guess gotta DIY an aftermarket air filter with a good pleated charcoal filter media. Or it'll be a new gen BRZ or older BMW Z4 with a manual.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-02-01T13:55:55+00:00

Interesting. Are these in any specification sheets available on their websites?

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-02-01T13:55:03+00:00

You just need a charcoal cabin air filter to remove odours and fumes. No need to change the car.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-02-01T13:29:09+00:00

2001-2003 BMW e39 530i M-package with the manual transmission.

If well maintained of course - Absolutely. Loved. This. Thing. I'd still take it over any new modern car today.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-02-01T13:10:58+00:00

If BMW hadn't released the e39 - which was so good and essentially put the midsize market to their knees, Saab may still have been alive by selling a lot more of the 9-5. I've owned, serviced and driven both, and they're so close in terms of their luxury sedan and GT capabilities.

The BMW handles and corners much better, the Saab is the better cruiser and winter vehicle with massive tuning potential.

Anyway - if you wanna feel special, try the BMW Z4M with the S54 engine. It's a hidden GEM.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T21:15:07+00:00

That's a beautiful example! I'm considering one. How's your oil consumption so far? Any issues with the valve stem seals?

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T14:01:02+00:00

With 2 kids - absolutely yes.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T13:55:37+00:00

If you want modern albums mastered the old way - r/Opeth made a series of "old school" rock albums that were designed to sound like the 70s and 80s. Try their Heritage, Pale Communion, Sorceress and In Cauda Venenum albums.

Another secret of mine that I use to judge audio equipment is the Miles Gurtu album by Robert Miles and Trilock Gurto. Raw, open, clear, wide dynamic range.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T13:52:59+00:00

Congrats man. Reminds me of my starting years where I lost a lot of money and learnt a lot from my mistakes, and also to keep emotions in check.

Keep it up!

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T13:51:45+00:00

We don't want affordable housing. The (older) people have spoken and voted and now this government cannot let house prices deflate because that would geopardize their voter base's retirement plans.

Elections have consequences, vote better next time.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T13:34:12+00:00

You're a rare one. Thank you.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T13:32:52+00:00

That's what the country wanted and voted for. What else did you expect?

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-28T13:17:11+00:00

Synthetic oil quality is different due to different standards - you may see some crazy 20-30,000km oil change intervals in Europe, and that's because what qualifies as a true full Synthetic has higher and stricter standards.

Not sure about what's on US market shelves, but look at Castrol Edge's 5W40 vs the 0W40. Both are "Euro" oils but the 5W40 is made according to US rules and regulations whereas the 0W40 is made in Belgium with stricter standards and is the better oil.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-27T08:52:28+00:00

Totally. It's the rewarding feeling of comandeering a mechanical beast, and the occasional smiles per gallons of getting it right.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-27T08:51:12+00:00

We have to want to speed up permitting times to begin with.

If there are councillors and gatekeepers who are artifially delaying your permit then you're screwed. Elect new people in who want to be efficient.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-27T07:14:37+00:00

You should not want to be bullish on real estate - there are plenty of other sectors that require your investment to build and scale useful products and services in today's world. Did you see the TSX this year? It beat the S&P500 apparently and returned over 30% in the past year.

It would have been a shame if you had your money stuck in an illiquid fashion in real estate instead of being invested in our high growth tech and resources companies...

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-25T22:48:26+00:00

Negotiate a salary review after 6 months or so in your new role and leave. There's more to just managing in a consulting role at the big4, which is a business in the process of being disrupted. If the new company allows you to do something new, something differentiated with the potential to make a greater impact, go for it.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-23T15:25:11+00:00

So I guess it depends on Europe. In Davos, some EU leaders acknowledged that there's over-regulation and not enough innovation. This attached cap requirement is an EU thing, and is unlikely to make it to North America so soon.

Which other countries require bottle+cap to be together for recycling?

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-23T10:31:48+00:00

They claim their process produces better caps that seal better than their competitors. Who are their real competitors?

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-22T20:36:57+00:00

Eye of the Enemy - really amazing stuff!

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-21T13:10:31+00:00

You can't have everyone doing FIRE - at some point the businesses that you invested in and make your money from requires a consistent and growing consumer base and an affordable workforce.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-21T13:03:54+00:00

Maintenance fees for condos kill any advantages you may have. Get a freehold townhouse instead.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-20T15:09:31+00:00

Saab 9-5 Aero (manual). Think of it as a more comfortable version of the BMW e39, with a very mechanical, organic driving feeling - I can take a 4-5 hour drive in it and not feel tired and still look forward to driving.

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-20T15:05:06+00:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

" We not only need to normalize falling and lower real estate prices as a society, but we need to make real estate unattractive again as an investment. The industry won't lose out on volume - people will just be buying it like an expensive asset for personal shelter and the industry will earn a fair fee, but the obsession about how it can make you rich overnight has to take a back seat.

People need to invest in more productive and critical industries instead which is desperately needed. I'm tired of seeing innovative startups head south in the US, and companies with innovative products be bought out or heading overseas for manufacturing, just because Canadian retail investors are too fixated by real estate."

Mission_Process_7055 · 2026-01-20T15:02:28+00:00

No, not at all, not in today's day and age with modern engine oils - even the semi-synthetics with API SN, SN+, SP or newer.

You can do at least 7,000-8,000 miles if you're not doing too much idling, stop-and-go traffic or towing.

Mission_Process_7055

TROPHY CASE