The Asp(X) is ugly and has more cargo space. Can't launch fighters but can be competitively armed. Good shields. Good speed. Good maneuverability. Doesn't feel like a heavy ship though, if that's what you're looking for. Flies like a Cobra Mk. 3
The T-7 will be getting some love soon but it's expensive compared to the Asp(X).
The T-7 will be getting some love soon but it's expensive compared to the Asp(X).
Not sure how much your budget is but if you can get an Asp Explorer you cant go wrong.
This is a pretty good entry level build that will let you explore and mine. It is completely non combat. If in trouble Highwake Hyperspace to the next system. The jump range is your protection.
https://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/0pdtdFfliddsnf52m2m----00030707053243C7P61n2f.Iw18WQ==.Aw18WQ==
Swap out the scanner or collector if you fancy a vehicle hangar.
This is a pretty good entry level build that will let you explore and mine. It is completely non combat. If in trouble Highwake Hyperspace to the next system. The jump range is your protection.
https://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/0pdtdFfliddsnf52m2m----00030707053243C7P61n2f.Iw18WQ==.Aw18WQ==
Swap out the scanner or collector if you fancy a vehicle hangar.
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Asp is surely a sweet ride. I still have one. I like to mine in an Anaconda though, if anyone bothers me I can ignore them or crush them at my discretion. 
Hold on to the Keelback if you can, because in 2.2 it will be the least costly ship capable of launching a fighter. That is such an exciting improvement to gameplay (judging by Beta experience) that it is worth having until you can afford a bigger ship that handles fighters - quite a big jump up to a Beluga or Anaconda !
You will likely have to buy an interim ship above the Keelback to earn credits to get to these two ships, in which case take the advice given in this thread. But don't lose the opportunity to try ship launched fighters !
Your next logical step should be an Asp-Explorer. Bunch of pentagons glued together at the edges, you'll love it. Then probably a Python, then an Anaconda. Each ship offers more cargo capacity and weapons flexibility then the last though jump range suffers on the Python (engineers!), less so the Anaconda (ditto!). I went from T-6 to Asp-X (to a Python, to a 'Conda). The Asp-X is a good, all-around earner, with decent cargo capacity, great visibility through the canopy, great jump range, it can do just about anything fairly well, not really spectacular at anything except maybe exploration.
Don't worry, you will get there. I understand that's not within your budget now, but you didn't mention how much money you have?
If your budget is enough for an AspX and some decent internals, get it. It makes a good mining ship and is easy to adapt to just about anything.
Personally I went T6->T7->Python route, but I was mostly trading for that Python (OK, maybe also smuggling ;P). After that it was all slightly illegal trading and saving for Anaconda.