I know I can control the labels and title and such with the Axes functions, but how much control is there for other aspects of the Axes.

I would like to place a border around the axis, set the background color for the axis, and also allow the labels to be truncated. I would also like to pan and zoom the associated plot using the axis as well.

Is there a way to get that kind of control of the Axes? Do I need to implement/overload my own?