Factory reset when the original apple id has been deleted

Several years ago I bought an IPAD. A few months later I changed apple id's and deleted the old email address. Last week, apple support recommended I do a factory reset after the device wouldn't start. When the device reset, it required the old apple id to be entered to logon: ie the original apple id from several years ago. The apple id password doesn't work and the web page says there is no account associated with the email. Tech support recommend I buy a new IPAD.

Any advice will be appreciated?