I myself enjoy space fighting games to an immense degree and I have been searching for a good space game. I found EVE Online and I have a few questions:

Is it Pay 2 Play or Free 2 Play? EDIT: I looked this up on their site and it is Pay 2 Play so I don't know. . .I normally don't like those. . .

Are the ships well balanced for different styles of play?

And is it over all fun?

Thanks in advance.

Never played EVE Online (since its P2P) but there are a couple of games that are quite similar.
For example X2 - The Threat, X3 - Reunion and X3 - Terran Conflict.

The ships are quite different, first there are several classes from carriers over battleships to fighters and every race has got their own unique look. You start with a fighter and you a free to do whatever you want (that means play the plot, become a merchant, a fleet admiral or a pirat, or all in one etc.)

I suggest you X3 - Reunion since it has got quite good graphics, needs less space than X3TC and there is a cockpit mod for it (Both X3R and X3TC had no cockpits originally, kinda ruined the atmosphere)