Questions & Answers about Bu muğlak mesaj bana biraz manidar gibi geldi.
How does the gibi geldi structure work here since there isn't a full verb clause before it?
While you can use this structure with full clauses (like yalan söylüyor gibi geldi - it seemed like he was lying), it works just as well with simple adjectives or nouns. Here, the adjective manidar (suggestive/meaningful) is paired directly with gibi geldi. The formula is simply [Adjective/Noun] + gibi + [Dative pronoun] + gelmek.
The translation says "suggestive", but doesn't manidar just mean "meaningful"?
Historically yes, but in modern Turkish, manidar almost always carries the connotation of a hidden meaning. It is used when a remark, look, or message is suggestive, ironic, or implies something left unsaid. If you just want to say a poem or an experience was deeply "meaningful" in a positive or emotional way, you should use anlamlı instead.
Why is bana placed in the middle of the sentence rather than at the very beginning?
Turkish word order is flexible and driven by focus. Putting the subject (Bu muğlak mesaj) at the very beginning establishes it as the main topic of the conversation. Placing bana (to me) right after it is very natural because it introduces your personal impression of that established topic. Starting with Bana bu muğlak mesaj... is also grammatically correct, but slightly shifts the initial focus onto you rather than the message.
Is muğlak a common everyday word for "ambiguous"?