Yeah, i'd prefer CQC without the power ups as well. Too gimicky. Having said that, its cool when you grab them
CQC with your own ships? Hmmm.... on those maps? It would be dominated by vultures and couriers methinks. Large ships would stand no chance, a lot of medium ships would struggle badly. I suppose different maps could work, like a regular asteroid field, although big ships could still have troubles there trying to weave about inside the field. Could be funny, Cutters would get shredded
I think it might be ok in you were not allowed to use engineering and you didn't use your own ships exactly. You just entered ship screen where you could take whatever ship and equipment you wanted. I'd be highly tempted to go full on troll though and fit mine launchers on all hardpoints
At least that way everyone is on an equal footing, which is an important factor for me in a PvP game. I hate PvP games which allow certain people to gain advantages. CQC has it a little bit, with its unlocks, but the main unlocks (ships) come early and the equipment unlocks... well, i have some dislike of it a bit, but it is a bit trade-offy.
I used to play TF2 until i saw that you could gain a distinct advantage through some of the items you could buy. Yeah, you can get lucky and unlock them without purchases, but its very much luck of the draw and still puts new players at a real disadvantage.
Regarding the using own ships, another issue is TTK. One thing i love about CQC is its fast pace, and even then, some people can still make it through a round without dying (i've done it myself miraculously). If people could take their own ships, especially engineered, i could see some matches ending without a single kill.