Ive already got 2 BSs, the most recent of which being financed by my Bowex) trading in its entirety, however i am now trading to pay for a cap armour for a Gallic GB on which i intend to develop an RP story.
So yes, i trade quite a bit, but all of which is done in RP, not in a 5k transport and as part of an official faction.
Though i do remember creating one charachter who i managed to get in an eagle with some low powered codes just by doing missions and the loot and ammo from player ships that fell to me. Though thats about as far as ive ever got without trading.
Though, i do know someone who did nothing but high level corsair missions for 4 days solid in a cruiser to get the 800 mil or so for a legate (he didnt have a trade ship at all, though i helped him buy a BWT after hearing about how he got a legate).