Starting at the bottom.

[Printimus]

Was just looking over my collection of ships in my hangar and starting pondering, what if you had to start with 1 ship less than $100 in value and work your way up, upgrading that ship as you go.

What ship would you start with?
What path of ships would you go?
Where would you stop?

I think I would start with something like the Herald and run info back and forth.
I would go from the Herald to one of the Freelancer variants such as the MAX, then on to a bigger hauler like the Constellation Taurus or even Caterpillar.
A good stopping point for me would be a ship that specializes in something I want to do in the game, such as harvesting fuel in the Starfarer.

 

[Injustice]

I'd probably start out with the Avenger Stalker, run a few bounty hunting missions until I was able to upgrade the ship to either the Hornet or the sabre.

I'd continue running operations and escorts until the Eclipse was available and would focus on stealth operations.

 

[CosmicTrader]

315P
Constellation Aquila
Carrack

 

[Printimus]

I'd probably start out with the Avenger Stalker, run a few bounty hunting missions until I was able to upgrade the ship to either the Hornet or the sabre.

I'd continue running operations and escorts until the Eclipse was available and would focus on stealth operations.

Run and gun, i like it.

315P
Constellation Aquila
Carrack

More of an exploratory type eh?

 

[Carlos Spicyweiner]

Mustang Beta. I'd use it to scout jump points and mining locations. Then to a Prospector, grind for a Freelancer to haul for the Prospector. Then more prospectors, and hopefully setting up for a medium sized miner, then on to an Orion. That should take about 2 weeks.

 

[Printimus]

Mustang Beta. I'd use it to scout jump points and mining locations. Then to a Prospector, grind for a Freelancer to haul for the Prospector. Then more prospectors, and hopefully setting up for a medium sized miner, then on to an Orion. That should take about 2 weeks.

2 weeks tops....

 

[Doggen]

fighter - hauler - specialist

dunno which one yet

 

[hardroc77]

Either the Herald or the 315p to start. Probably the 315, but I wouldn't be sure until I press the buy button.
Work my way up to the Carrrack.

 

[Phantomoftruth]

315p or Herald
The challenge I have is being torn between surveying every cm of Hades or joining everyone in the Search for Disco's Hole.
depending on how much an Aquila will cost in-game, determines if the F-DUR is redundant.

 

[Likewise]

Well I started with the good ol' Aurora MR. Soon after I upgraded to the LN. Stuck with that for a bit then went to the Avenger Titan. I kept that for a long time until 2.6 came around then I upgraded to the Cutlass Black and I'm actually pretty happy with that and feel like it's a solid stopping point for me.

Of course I did just pick up a Super Hornet too, but I think the Cutlass offers me plenty of options leading into the game.

 

[A.Santos]

Think I would do somthing like this :
Aurora CL > Hull-B > Hull-C > Reclaimer.

 

[I_MIKE_I]

Below 100$... I think I'd get the 315p but that's vague since I don't know of the rework.

The Cutlass Black @ 100$ seems like a fairly good deal considering the rework.

But I could also picture myself starting with an Aurora LN with the awesome rework it gets.

 

[Han Burgundy]

I definitely plan on doing this once I establish a sizable estate. I am going to start myself off on a frontier planet with an extremely modified and kick-ass pistol and 3000* credits. Maybe I'll help crew a ship and learn a new trade from the bottom up, or perhaps I will stroll onto the bridge of someone ELSES ship, and take it for a spin. I just love the idea of an occasional reset. Makes playing the WHOLE game more possible. Perhaps I would do this through several accounts as well...

 

[BUTUZ]

Aurora LN with a BIg Box. Part ex for...
Hull A. Work up to
Hull B.. Work a lot up to
Hull C. Work a lot and buy a
Hull D. Work 3 days a week and buy a
Hull E. Work one day a week and buy a
merchantman, Carrack, Polaris, Idris P, Idris M, Bengal, Vandul Driller, Moon of my choice, Red fiery lava planet that suits my personality.

 

[Stevetank]

Below $100? The Herald is the only non-snub ship that I own for less than $100. The Cutlass is the closest ship to that at $100. I'd only really consider starting with either a Cutlass, Avenger, or a Freelancer. I just really don't like the guns on the Avenger, so I'd rather have the Cutlass :P

I'm a large ship guy though. I don't like the small ones as much. I'd rather hire TESTies to escort me than be the escort. I see myself as an employer and not an employee. I'm more than a captain, I'm a Commander, an Admiral, and a darn good friend. It's not just about me, it's about us and there's not enough of us in the smaller ships for me to do as much. The only ship I own that doesn't seat at least 2 people is the Buccaneer.

I'd say that the best starting ships for me would be the Freelancer or Cutlass. Either one is good, though I love the Cutlass more. It's really hard to say if I'd move on to the Caterpillar, Reclaimer, Starfarer, or Crucible from there since I really don't know how those ships will play out since none of them are done. Knowing me, probably the Caterpillar then the Recalimer. But I helped fund the game so I have them all anyways, hehehehehe, huahahahahaha, AAAAAAHAhAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

 

[Printimus]

See, looking at all the ships I own, I kinda regret getting so many. I love supporting this vision the game has become, but I want to give myself something to work towards as well. I'm sure they will pump out a ton more ships though, so I am not TOO concerned.

 

[marcsand2]

Below $100:
I started with a MR
Delta, nimble light dogfighter, all time favorite
Gladius, fast light fighter
...

Between $100 and $200:
Sabre, space superiority
Super Hornet, medium dogfighter, when needing more durability and firepower
...

Above $200:
Warden, long range heavy fighter
Eclipse, stealth, recon and a few torps

Multi crew:
Retaliator, transport, torps
Polaris, pool table, landing pad

Actually, I don't want to work up and upgrade, I want to work up and keep the smaller ships, every ship has its pros and cons, making them all valuable assets.

 

[Blind Owl]

I'd probably start with the LN. It just feels like Privateer to me. Then into an Avenger, mostly because of her versatility. And the fact I've never really played with one, so I think that'd be interesting. I'd then work up to a Cutlass, perhaps a Freelancer. I do love both, although the Cutty has the edge. From there, sky's the limit. I'd use earnings from the Cutty to get myself a decent fighter SH or Sabre, and use that to get some kill missions. Eventually I'd get my Caterpillar, and hopefully use that as the basis to start making real money.

 

[Stevetank]

Ok, ok....

Under $100: Avenger
Under $150: Cutlass
Under $200: Taurus
Under $250: Caterpillar / Gemini (Got mine for $225 and $240 :P )
Best $350 ship: Reclaimer

 

[Beerjerker]

See, looking at all the ships I own, I kinda regret getting so many. I love supporting this vision the game has become, but I want to give myself something to work towards as well. I'm sure they will pump out a ton more ships though, so I am not TOO concerned.

I'm hoping they'll address this more will component variety. Once you got all the ships, you can chase down all the gear.
Or maybe they'll resort to hats...?

I'd probably try to stick with multi-role boats, start with Aurora then Cutlass. After that, who knows? Things seem like they will start getting more multi-crew to be effective like with the Constellations, or team based and role focused like with the Eclipse. After a solo-able multi purpose boat, I'll probably just adjust to what's going on with people I play the game with, those TEST Squadron skallywags.