why has the Boxster less power than a 996?

[Perfectlap]

I've never really thought that making the Boxster less powerful really helped Porsche as much as they think it did/does.

Someone who wants a car with only two seats is going to buy whatever Porsche is offering. Power is not the motivation for opting away from a Carrera. By and large most people are unwilling to pay at the high end for roadster. So unless they are saving themselves a ton of money by watering down the 996 egine which kind of runs contrary to economies of scale, then the only reason they do put less powerful engines in Boxsters is to give Carrera owners the impression that they've stepped up into something more powerful. It's the Porsche way, they're always trying to get you think you're current Porsche isn't the best Porsche you can own and that you need to go and buy a bigger more expensive one. It all culminates when you've bought three different Porsches and spent enough to buy a Ferrari. This is like a poser's mentality. A true sports car driver will buy a roadster if he wants a roadster, a GT3 if he wants a track toy or a C4S if he wants plush all year GT. I don't think anyone buys any of three primarily on the basis of power.