Your observations are similar to mine. I mainly want to keep the rig as short as possible (can't go over 26 feet, and over 25 is iffish) and still have a bed for a relative that is easy for her to get into (I can sleep on a cabover, no problems, but she has knee issues, so a permanent bed is a must.)
A spare tire, I can attach on the bumper. Most of the other missing items I can get retrofitted or not worry about. The biggest downside to me about the LE models is the lack of heated/enclosed tanks. Texas has very random weather in the winter, and it might be 70 degrees at noon, then you can get three days of below freezing weather -- enough to cause pipes and tanks to crack unless some heating is done on them. Maybe that can be added on.
My main concern is storage, especially outside storage (so I can bring along a few lawn chairs, a storage tent, and a place for sewer items).
Wish I can see the rig personally, but the guy is in Europe for the next few months so no go there.