More than likely one or both rear wheels have bad bearings in them. From my experience, bad wheel bearings get louder when lateral force is applied when moving. Tire noise should maintain a constant level. A proper road test may shed some light on the car's condition. If it is all original then most likely the rear wheel bearings are bad considering the mileage. I would also have the tranny fully checked out by an expert.
If the SVX is in as great shape cosmetically as you say, and the only thing wrong is wheel bearings and a set of tires, then $3k for the car is not a bad price. If anything is wrong with the tranny then it is not such a bargain. Best of luck with it though! I hope it all works out for you! 
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Pearl '92 LS-L 179K (Historic 1st 5-speed SVX)
Mods: 5-speed, 4.11's, Group-N motor mounts, dual Magnaflows, cone air filter, Kenwood MP-228 CD/Receiver, white-faced gauges, '97 grill, custom window tinting.
Ebony Mica '92 LS 80K Oct 2002 - Dec 2004: Victim of theft. She served me well.
You can tell the lack of craftsmanship by the wrinkles in the duct tape.
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