I find it amazing that nobody has mentioned the MOD's that have been developed for this GREAT game.
Check out:
http://www.lancersreactor.com/t/
I've been playing this game steady ever since it came out... if I get board with it... I just download another MOD and BAM! you've got something new to do.
Although I must say that since Morrowind (GOTYE) with Bloodmoon and Tribunal came into my gaming life I have not played Freelancer... and thats been several months now.
Microsoft REALLY does need to come out with another Freelancer... maybe something with the Doom3 graphics engine... that would be cool.