One thing that would be extremely helpful to my method is if we could put folders within folders. That way all my original tracks (which I refer to as my pool and label each track/folder with OG) and the folders that contain them can just go into a single folder named Pool or OG. Then I wouldn't necessarily need to hide them with the track manager. I could just drag that folder to the bottom of the list if I want to get it away from the time ruler. I'd also like to see the console view have a folders option that could be set to stay in sync with the folder status in the track pane because even if I could have folders within a folder the strips would remain which is even more problematic than in the track pane. With all those clones the strip count is out of control.

Yeah folders within folders seems to be a very popular request and I can understand why....I've found myself wishing we had them as well. And folders should definitely be mirrored in the console view, especially since screen estate is lacking. I find it irritating when I have all my drum tracks neatly tucked away in a folder in the track pane, whereas I have to scroll past them all the time in the console view. 

Oh and it may be pertinent to the convo that I tend not to allow final clips to remain in lanes. I'll either do the comping and bounce or more often they'll get their own track so I have fader control to mix the part in. That last thing is another reason having a folders within folders option would be handy. Lead Guit Folder > Pan Left Folder > Pan Left Clip Segment Tracks
                                                 V
                                           Pan Right Folder  > Pan Right Clip Segments Tracks
 
 

I haven't had much luck with it, but I have used the Matrix view a time or two to work on arranging. I don't find it very easy though - I think it's more trouble than its worth.
 
A lot of times I'll record multiple takes of rhythm guitar, etc. I'll copy the measures of versions I like into my "real" tracks and then archive the original, unused tracks but generally leaving them where they are in the time line. This keeps them out of the way. I almost always have a folder for "Archives", and it will have tracks for guitars, bass, keys, vocals, etc. I can hide the folder in the console view and collapse it in the track view.