Tuff call.  I wouldn't just put a torque converter in without rebuilding trans (need to disassemble to check proper so might as well rebuilt).  So you need to determine how much $ you want to put in it vs trade in value (low since body damage).  Tuff call but you do need to be thinking/looking for a future vehicle imo.

Hello Scarlet, sorry to hear about your problem. It is unfortunate but your specific model has some of the worst automatic transmission designs ever made. Instead of a traditional tried and true torque converter they went with some newfangled "dry clutch" technology that proved to be a dismal failure in terms of longevity. There are a number of class action lawsuits over it, I'm surprised none have reached you by way of mail. It could be because of the state you live in. If I were in your position, the car being so far out of warranty, I would drop it like a hot pocket and move onto some more reliable car. Even if you did swap in a new dual clutch dealy it would likely fail within a few 10k miles, its just not worthwhile.