I'll expand on my earlier post. The reason I would advise a mechanically competent person to choose the 3500 over any of the 4 cylinder derivatives is purely based on location and parts availability. Here in Australia, the 3500 is far more common than the 2000/2200, so engine parts are easier to source. The V8 is almost next to impossible to kill, they will even continue to run with the crankshaft broken, so if you're in the middle of no where, quite easy to do in Australia, you don't really want to end up stuck.
The reason I would not recommend a Rover to a non mechanically competent person is based on practicality. Finding mechanics in all areas who are competent to work on a Rover is not so common anymore. They are still about, but finding one won't be all that easy. As a result, large sums of money will leave the pocket of the new owner when things need doing, much I am sure to his or her disappointment.
Ron.