If you overstayed about three months, let's say over 180 days but well under a year, and that was back in 2002, your ineligibility to reenter is over. (You may not have overstayed long enough to result in ineligibility; but you still overstayed so it's a similar result.) That doesn't guarantee you a visa, but after seven years if you can show clear ties to your home country (job, savings, home ownership or apartment lease, etc.) it's more likely that you'll get a tourist visa. But if you're disqualified for visa waiver due to overstay, you don't requalify - as things currently stand you'll always need a visa.

