Ok, that makes more sense. If I missed that part, I apologize. 2017 is the only year for the SE manual. I remember that quite well, because I had to decide between a 2017 ES or SE manual when I bought mine. I wouldn't own a CVT anything. So I get where you are coming from now!
Features are really important to some. I had that discussion with a cousin yesterday. Features are really important to him. His next vehicle has to have more features than his current one. If his next vehicle doesn't have something he already has, he feels like he is settling for less. I find that odd, & I am the opposite. I could care less. Manual transmission is all I care about. Radio & A/C are nice to have, but I've bought vehicles without those features even. Adding a radio is not hard, however. I feel a base level Mirage is loaded these days. I find things like lane departure annoying. If someone really needs that features, I question them being on the road. I am driving instructor, however. I may look at it all differently. I also think touch screens on car dashes should be illegal. So I am old school. I don't set the standard for marketing vehicles!
It's odd that a lower level LE has heated seats, but the upper level SE doesn't. LE also has 15" alloy wheels, & the upper trim level has SE has 14" alloy wheels. The trim levels are odd, and not offering more manual options in other trim levels is not great either. LE didn't appear until 2018. It would have been a good trim level to offer as a manual, too!
Air bags being added to seats has changed things from a few years ago.
I really like a Mirage for what it is. I think Mitsubishi could market this car better, however!