I absolutely know what you "S" guys are saying.  Mostly because I drove the 2013 Boxster S last month on a track at the Porsche World Road Show.  It was my favorite of all the Porsches I drove there -- including two 911s.  Power, agility, handling, stability, braking, speed, acceleration ... you name it!  The new Boxster S has it in spades.
But I don't race and rarely get to do a track day, so that's why I'm very happy with my '02 base Boxster.  It's got all the juice I need for a street sports car.  (But believe me, I am NOT against S's or any other species of Porsche!  
