sorry missed replying earlier.
my recommendation is - don't use the current ship stats as a rule - more as a guideline. because the ship stats WILL change and just don't want to see players upset
having said that - I think the stalker stats are not correct

you will know why when you actually board a Stalker vs a Hornet - u can do that when they release another Free Flight week for all ships (hopefully over the Xmas week).
Plus Avenger modules will appear in the future - allowing you more choice and flexibility - to a change into either Titan or a Warlock variant (not permanent since u should be able to swap modules). Unlike the Hornets which I think will have less modules or be more restricted in their choice of modules.
IMHO, go for the roles that you prefer to play. and just keep in mind there is no one-ship-to-win-all scenarios. all ships will have their good and not-so good points. And to spend within your means - all you need is just a base pledge and can earn everything else in-game. Have to remind everyone that most expensive or biggest doesn't mean best. And EVERY SHIP can be earned in-game.

For everyone's info - the moment SQ42 launches - high chance CIG will split the packages into 2. One for SQ42 and another for Star Citizen itself. So for those who backed early - we get 2 games for the price of 1. And if people complain not fair - well this "offer" has been ongoing for nearly 3+ years now

and just comparing base package - which is about USD35. compared to other AAA game at launch - USD70? And here's a tip - make payments in Euro dollar for better currency rates

Myself - I lazy to setup my HOTAS - I just KB/M for now. (also coz my table very messy now. lol)
Well took your advice and pledged for the Avenger, since it has potential to have different modules there
haha , So far been pretty enjoying however due to my low pc spec getting alot of framerate issues, oh well alpha haha