...has gotten out of hand!
Poor old OP didn't get an answer eh, mainly due to the yorkshire terrier-esque hanging on and not letting go of an age-old argument.
By the way, my computer's bigger than yours.
More seriously, I'd be tempted by a 600ti. I doubt it'd be as rewarding to drive as my Dedra, as all Rovers I have driven, whilst going round corners, shall we say, competently, the arthiritis-friendly steering lacks too much feel and feedback. Maybe it's just too light. Can't comment specifically on the 600ti's steering though. What I can say is that going from a Rover to the Dedra was weird - it felt like the Dedra had NO power steering in comparison. (and then I got into the Cinquecento. SWMBO will soon be developing Arnie arms) In hindsight, this highly interactive steering setup was quite tiring on cambered roads or in those lorry related grooves in the motorway. Turning circle was bloody brilliant for a car of its size.
I'd like to try a 420GSi Turbo as well, but I don't think they have TorSen or any kind of LSD! Absolute madness - even a ford RS Turbo has one...
Anyway, back to the point. I reckon the 600ti (or 420GSi) would be pretty reliable, and is very good value for money in terms of being able to find a straight road and wellying it. There really is little that comes close for the level of spec - leather, aircon etc etc and at the same time you get this ability to welly it. My Dedra was very much of the "if it's got breasts or an engine it'll cost you" school. The Alcantara interior was divine (if you had the stereo up loud enough to cover the creaking).
The Dedra, like these turbo'd Rovers, just didn't look like a fast car, yet was (and is). This is the beauty of it. Alfas do have that heriatage and reputation for being lively cars, and as such, fade into the background less effectively than the Rover (or the Dedra - cos nobody knew what it was - is that an Octavia mate?). However, the 600ti is available up to far more recently than the Dedra (the red one I have is one of the very last, on an N plate)
The main advantage of the Rover over one of these Alfas and particularly Lancias is that you don't have to get right into the network in order to keep the thing in good nick on a reasonable budget. Anybody will service your Rover for you, and parts are readily available. It doesn't have to become a car/wallet/time menage a trois (of course a car with 'character' reqires this as SteveH rightly pointed out) and if that suits you, the Rover is the car. Otherwise, look at spending /at least/ a grand extra for anything as quick or well equipped and relative drive-and-forget convenience. I'd call the Rover a 'throwaway' Q-car. a casual fling that delivers the fun without opening your wallet or your emotions.