This is a serious discussion, not a pointless +1 session for you wrack up more posts.
But back on topic, trading is fine and dandy if you just want a low-end ship, or one that is unarmoured. Sure, you can get a Cruiser with a Capital 2, but you want more armour so even if you're an RP platform, you're still facing the threat of warring nations, lolwutters, and pirates. More armour, more ability to fight or run away.
I have multiple fighters, bombers, and gunboats, but almost none of them have armour past Cap 1/Universal 5. I just can't afford it while supplying my ships with B/B, ammo, etc.