So I have an 05 987 tip and i took it in for repair, and the gave me an 08 Boxster S tip.  I thought I would be amazed at the differences, but nothing of the sort:

First off, I should say I'm glad I got stone grey instead of the savannah beige, because knowing myself, that interior gets dirty soooo fast, and with me, it would be completely ugly.  

 2nd, I have on my car the standard audio system that comes with it.  This car had the Bose surround sound.  Even when I put the Bass at its highest and the surround was on, I could barely tell a small difference, ok, maybe a little more than small, but not worth the money.  I am so glad I saved the money.

 3rd, the Boxster S has bigger brakes and better suspension, of which I could see a small difference, but not important enough to grant much more money.  This car had only 6000 miles while mine has 24,000 so granted, this car would automatically be a little more stiff.

 4th, the engine.  This engine has 295 hp while mine has 240.  A difference of 55.  I thought this would be huge, but the difference was completely negligible.  I saw that the car did accelerate a little faster but not fast enough to warrant an S badge.

5th, and finally, the biggest reason: the sound.  The engine sound of this car is much less and not at all as beautiful as the non-S.  I have no clue why but everyone who was with me agreed as well.  This car's sound is toned down it seems and had a low whine, while my non-S has a much louder growl. 

oh, and those stock S tips are so damn ugly. 

 Maybe it is because both are tips and the manuals will have a significant difference, I dunno.  But I returned that car and got mine back so satisfied I had saved the extra 10,000 dollars.  Smiley