I for 1 agree with your logic as I drove many 996's & Boxsters & rented a Honda 2000S before purchasing the best of both worlds a 2000 Boxster S which is my daily driver. I also thought of the Honda as being the "sensible safer" choice but as many owners discover it is not a good daily driver since it requires nonstop shifting & zero storage space. I consider the Boxster S to be funner to drive & your money goes much further over the 996 route although the 996 is the sweet spot of 911 priceing vs features.
