I was 2 weeks into the game when the Empire lifted the rank requirements for the Clipper one weekend, I bought one straight away. That was 2 years ago... haven't bugged form it since! It is my de facto ship, it's what Elite is to me. Any other ship I am in it for a specific reason (Rares running in an AspEx) - otherwise I default to my beautiful Orange Clipper! 
Recently, I've broken down and unlocked a few more engineers (7 total?), so now I have G3 DD thrusters, G5 PP & PD, G5 FSD, G5 shields, and now, G5 beams and MCs.
She (Clipper) does much better in a fight now.
And she is even more of a hoot to drive around in.
Sounds a lot like mine.
The nacelles have MC's, but I went with class 2 rails, G5 upgrades, under the belly. I got them rigged with super penetrator rounds and sturdy mounts. The ship maneuvers so well, it's almost a sin not to use fixed weapons. Plus, the sturdy mounts reduce thermal load, so over heating isn't a problem. I use mine for more of a "hit hard and run if necessary." Ammo isn't necessarily an issue for me. I prospect a lot, so I usually have an abundance of materials for making ammo in a pinch.
I was 2 weeks into the game when the Empire lifted the rank requirements for the Clipper one weekend, I bought one straight away. That was 2 years ago... haven't bugged form it since! It is my de facto ship, it's what Elite is to me. Any other ship I am in it for a specific reason (Rares running in an AspEx) - otherwise I default to my beautiful Orange Clipper!
I came back from an exploration trip right as that event was going on, manage to snag it and every other Imperial ship at the time. Spent more time in that thing so far than I have in any other ship.
I found turrets to be nice for the large hardpoints as they can cover a massive area, then you can just use your speed and agility to stay out of your enemies fire while you slowly chip their ship away. I found it a oddly satisfying to take down a ship without ever having seen it infront of me.
I don't really do combat so my clipper is unarmed, many people complain about the Shields but my Engineered No6 shields give me 280, that's enough to keep safe while I get away at 580+ on boost, if I get interdicted by a small ship I can usually stay behind it pulling faces and sticking my tongue out.
I love this ship and take it everywhere... yup been to Colonia...(34ly jumps) the long way round, and dropped it on high gravity planets...(ouch) I pull the Scoop and Hull plating out and run 200+ tons of cargo for CG's this is a good ship when you love it.[heart]
I love this ship and take it everywhere... yup been to Colonia...(34ly jumps) the long way round, and dropped it on high gravity planets...(ouch) I pull the Scoop and Hull plating out and run 200+ tons of cargo for CG's this is a good ship when you love it.[heart]