Oh I agree with you completely. I think the *best* ship in the game, for all given values, is the Asp. I will never sell mine, I adore it.
But as somebody who LOVES nothing more than to pilot a big, heavy, slow-to-respond ship, I've had to spend more time than others to get into a pilot's seat that I REALLY love. Ever since I got my Corvette the game has been so much more fun for me. Even the Anaconda didn't do much for me because I prefer that 'Warship' feel. Two Class-4 hardpoints is what I've always wanted.
I get why the game works the way it does, and I certainly do enjoy Elite either way, but I was certainly expected to do some kind of 'grind' (whether it be credits for the 'conda, or credits AND rank for a Corvette/Cutter) in order to get the experience I wanted. More than a guy who gets into a Viper and its their dream ship from day 1.
Edit: And to be clear, my problem isn't that I shouldn't have to do that process. It is simply that that process is very grindy, almost in a World of Warcraft way, and that is a very off-putting way to feed me content.
I think you should get to a certain rank with the Imperials/Federals, lower than the current ones, but then take on a unique, multi-stage mission that is difficult and requires a wing. Once you do it, Bam, you earn a Corvette or Cutter.
