How much are GSD pups these days? One's that have a decent hip score etc. I'm a lover of larger dogs, and everyone says that GSDs are the best dog for the first time owner.
We paid £1000 for ours last about 14 months ago.
I like large dogs also and have had three weimaraners over the last 20 years or so. Loki is my first GSD. My opinion FWIW is that they are not necessarily ideal first dogs.
The caveat being how much time and effort you are prepared to put in for an extended period. I've had to deal with a few challenges with Loki in the first year or so. Dog reactivity, Wariness of strangers, over protectiveness of the home to mention a few. These dogs need to be worked and tired out physically and mentally. They need structure and leadership. They like to bark and when they do - they are intimidating to people. That is why they are such good protection dogs.
If you have the time and the dedication then they are great dogs but be ready for a challenge and bear in mind that they are quite often very attached to one person only. Ours is great with my teenage children but they don't walk him and even the wife is not 100% confident. I've learned a lot from him and just has he has the potential to be a great dog then I have potential to be a great owner - if we both keep working at it.
If you are house proud or have a house proud Mrs then don't get one -they shed, a lot, all year.