Thanks guys... yeah, it's definitely not a good noise. I do understand that auto trans cars do make some noise when shifting out of park, especially when parked on a hill etc. But this sounds painful to the car.

I'm trying to be more specific on the actual noise... it's definitely a metal clunk, noise of parts/gears touching with significant force, enough to make me cringe! And, I say ouch every time it happens
-Az4R1