Does the Mirage use Xenon headlights? If so, they aren't too bad cost-wise when they burn out. Sucks when a ballast resistor goes bad. But if you break/crack one and need to replace it...OUCH.
I really wish they still made the SE manual cars. Really, really, REAAAALLY. Obviously, that would be the choice. Hell, why can't I ORDER ONE?? But I have grown so used to the FAST key system that I am not sure I could buy a new ES just to get the manual transmission. If I have to get an SE and have to get a CVT, I might as well just spend a few hundred dollars more and get the GT.
HID headlights I can take or leave, but I LOVE the GT's 'bun-toasters'. Had them in my BMW, and those alone would be worth the honestly quite modest extra cost of the GT Mirage.