I have 2300 miles on the clock and have had 3 occurances of the following:

Moving from a stopped position (or moving VERY slowly out of a parking space), I happen to be letting the clutch out after a 1-R or R-1 shift while turning the steering wheel. For about 1/2 second I get a loud noise some where between a groan and a honk, and a moment of stiffness in the wheel.

If feels like the PS pump is being swamped or something. My reservoir is full, so fluid loss isn't the culprit. It has only happened to me and not my wife, and on occasions 300-400 miles apart. Could this be my driving style, or is this something others are seeing?

perhaps it is a belt slipping?

I don't really think it is the belt. This noise is LOUD and nothing like normal belt squeal (not pitched as high). It sounds hydraulic like really noisy plumbing, but again nothing like a relief valve opening when you put your front wheels on a lock. It's just a short loud 'HONK!!!' that shakes the car and scares everyone inside. Any ideas? Anyone?

BTW, I am not sure if this post belongs in the General Forum or here.

shakes the car?

maybe an air bubble in the PS fluid?
I'm just tossing up ideas until someone smart says something.

This could be normal. According to the service manual:[The power steering] oil pump makes whine or growl noise slightly due to its mechanism. Even if the noise can be heard when steering wheel is turned at stand still there is no abnormal function in the system provided that the noise eliminates when the vehicle is running.