why has the Boxster less power than a 996?

[Perfectlap]

HP of base 911's

(1973-77) 911 150 HP (2.7 RS 210 HP)
(1977-83) 911 180 HP
(1983-89) 911 207 HP
(1989-93) 964 264 HP (3.8 RS 300 HP)
(1993-97) 993 272 HP (3.8 RS 300 HP)
(1997-01) 996 300 (2002-04) 320 HP
997 325 HP

so really if you get yourself one of those 3.4 Boxsters you've basically got more or the same amount of power and better handling as most of the 911's ever made so far. That's how Porsche make all their dough, upselling you to a CarreraS, Then a GT3, a Turbo, then a TurboS, followed by a GT2 until you're sitting in one Penske's Spyders.