Blasters are reliable as long as you take care of them just like any other quad. Like said before get the oil injection block off kit. It nicer to be able to mix your own oil/gas ratios anyways. And yeah the front drum brakes suck. I have an '02 and I swapped on some hydraulic disc brakes from my old '03 Blaster. My rear brake doesn't work either but I haven't really played with it 'cause I'm lazy. You can buy hydraulic disc brake kits for '02 and older Blasters though ('03 and newer already have them). Would be a good upgrade if you're planning on getting that '02.
'02 Yamaha Blaster - '03 Front Hydraulic Disc Brakes, Elkas on the Front, +3+1 ASR a-arms, DG Bumper, PB Phantom Exhaust w/Spark Arrestor Kit from ALBA, Renthal Bars, Premix, No Air Box Lid, Uni Air Filter, UM Swinger Skidplate, AC Nerf Bars, Holeshots all around