The fault code from the tranny is 700. It means “check the tranny computer for the “real” fault code. :-)
But it ran low on fluid and I think that tripped it. Oddly, it never reset, even after 50 cycles. We had the fourth gear band get too worn on our old Lebaron and the car went in to “limp in” mode. It drops to second gear. After I got it fixed I discovered I could have saved $1,500 and just always used “D3”. I could have treated it as if “overdrive” went out. And with the kind of driving it had become delegated to, that would have been fine. I may find myself doing the same thing with the 300 if I don’t get rid of it.
Regarding the side of the car. It wiped out every body panel It would be a few thousand. Regarding the AC, we actually spent $1,400 on it before we left Seattle. It lasted a few months and failed. Turns out the “radiator thingy” under the dash is leaking. Another $600. We’d have done it but then the deer hit.
When several high ticket items are about to go, it’s no longer practical to just keep it going. And it’s also partly based on my income. If I was making $10 an hour, I’d fix it. I’d wear a t-shirt and shorts during the summer drives and I’d pray the tranny holds up. But I’m not in that situation. :-)
Get a $50 ODB reader and reset the fault. If it comes back, you can get the next code checked at a mechanic. If you don’t want to spend the $50, pull the battery terminal. I have to do that with my Jeep.
Pulling dents is cheap. It won’t look as nice but you can limp along for a little while. Asking is free.
The radiator thingy is probably the heater core which doesn’t affect the AC. You have to get that fixed. In the future, if you spend $1400 on something, make sure they give you a warranty. Otherwise, don’t get it fixed there. My rebuilt transmission had a 6 month warranty and it failed within the 6 months. We got a new one for free.
“If I was making $10 an hour, “
I assume you are making more so paying cash for another car shouldn’t be a problem. :)
My point is that people (not you of course) get a car loan because they think they deserve a better car than they can afford. Then when hard times hit, they have an millstone around their neck.