setting up a cichlid tank...?

I'm looking into starting up a malawi cichlid tank.

I am totally overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a species of
cichlid. I know that there's thousands of different kinds, but is
there some common types that are generally good starter cichlids? By
that i mean less aggressive, cheaper, and able to fit in a 65gal
tank...?

I'm also being told many different things from fish stores in my area
- and don't know who to believe. One guy says "buy all males, and
over-stock the tank with many different species for less aggression",
but another says "buy only a few species, and have 3 females to 1 male
- and never overstock.. " I know i'd like to consider breeding
sometime down the road, so i'm leaning more towards the 1 or 2 species
with 1 or 2 males route... Is that advisable?

Thanks for any help!
S.Chappell