I've heard that the 02-04 3.5's had oil consumption issues due to incorrect piston rings, any truth to this?

Yeah it is true, there are oil consumption problems with earlier VQ35DE motors. Hell, even my VQ30DE in my 98 maxima had to be replaced under warranty because it was burning too much oil. Watch out with manual transmission equipped nissans with the VQ35.

i can vouch for the nissan 3.5L
my wife had a pathfinder from new in 2001. She didn't change the oil for almost 2yrs (dont ask and yes it was b4 my time with her) and it ran fine.
Ive heard great things about that engine and have only heard bad things about the 2.5L which is in the altima and sentra ser spec v.

2004 Maxima is good car, its more luxury and has a bigger engine. If you want to consider saving gas you can always look at the altima 2.5S (2004 model).

I have a 01 Infiniti I30 mines has the VQ35DE 3.0L in it and ive had no problems with it what-so-ever and it has 167,000kms on it.

But ive heard of the 2.5L in Altimas blowing up, im prety certain that Nissan did a recal on them

i tought the vq35 started in 2002 in both the I and the maximas...unless
you had it swapped