I have an Elite SLF-pilot in my Keelback, I wanted to keep using the pilot otherwise it's 10% out the window with them not doing anything.
I use the ship to do missions, something I enjoy doing anyway. Swapping it's main cargo bay with passenger lounges. So far I've had little trouble in getting rid of any ship attacking me, apart from one fight with a 'Dangerous' Python that took half my hull down (I still came out victorious though). Most other interdictions are from Elite pilots flying smaller ships (Cobra, Scout and the like). These smaller ships pose no threat whatsoever.
https://eddp.co/u/YWdsJq7sI've had it engineered much further than in the Coriolis build.
I don't think I'd have used this ship if I had to use it other than just flying about doing missions, but for what I wanted out of a ship, it suits my needs very well. It's also extremely cheap on the rebuy cost at only ½mil. credits.
I did try the Gunship as an alternative, but I simply enjoyed the Keelback better, a more simple and elegant solution to my needs.