I have say that this thread made me a Wolverine believer. (Along with some help from HBS BattleTech game.)
Before, i was more of a Griffin and Shadow Hawk person. Aesthetics were a big part to be sure. The Shadow Hawk is a superb looking design, and the Griffin both looks good and functions reasonably well.
However, the more i had to deal with the Shadow Hawk in HBS's BT, the more frustrated i became with it. Never could make it work well, it was difficult to customize without turning it into a Griffin or Wolverine, and its base version is just worthless, lacking in every area just enough it doesn't really work as a generalist.
On tabletop side the same issues are present, and its variants are no good either (or, well, they're OK at times but make dubious decisions all the same). It is something of a brainless beauty.
And The Griffin... OK, it works in its role. But the truth is, i'm more of a brawler, it doesn't really suit me.
But the Wolverine. It doesn't let me down. It runs cool in its -6R iteration, and the laser armed versions are powerful enough they replace bunch of heavier designs easily. And i've started liking its thuggish looks, especially with the Primitive art and the nuseen version.
Honestly, i'm doubtful i would've even really tried the Wolverine if Jymset's article hadn't been convincing.