[Engine intake and exhaust considerations]

You could probably build an escape pod as a separate construct, so you wouldn't have to have engines to destroy blocks. 

true, but then you would have to run to the escape pod.  

 

If you include the core unit in the bridge that separates, the rest of the ship will be dead in space. Someone will have to come along and build a core unit back in and reprogram the controls.

 

I suppose in the build process they can display a no build zone that you can override, if you really want to.

[Engine intake and exhaust considerations]

I have been gving this some thought. If the engine exhaust does damage to the block behind it. You could easily set up an escape pod. Get a couple engines keymapped to a button with some blocks supporting the cockpit under them. You lose the ship, save yourself, and make it much harder to commandeer a ship with no cockpit.  It will probably work best with utility ships like haulers or miners.

 

So, I guess, I would like an engine block that you can build right up to and causes damage. if you block the inlet the engine will pull O2 from reserves, similar to the UK's SABRE hybrid turbine/rocket engine 

[What about art and artists?]

it may not be traditional art but I would like to see someone set up a paint shop for vehicles and spaceships. No reason we can't look awesome flying around.